Tiefling Boyfriend: Mercutio 3 (rough draft)

Being in the Dragon’s Lair isn’t all bad. Sure, I am not the free stallion I used to be, but let’s face facts, I was never a stallion. Fierna has me working quite regularly on many projects. Fake documents, trades, forging letters, whatever will cause a petticoat to bunch it’s my job to do it. I suppose I should feel bad sowing so much discord and strife into the world, but really I’m having a hard time caring these days.

I usually spend my days working, dealing with courtiers under me, and answering to whatever Fierna tells me to do. I’m lucky that Darling handles most communication with mommy dearest for me, I rarely have to see her unless she really wants to see me, thankfully, that’s not often.

What is it I do for fun around here? Well, I do the blacksmith, whose name I’ve never really learned. Big guy, strong guy, can easily throw me around guy, he’s fun to pass the time and fill in the gaps between all work and no play. He’s a brute with not much on the mind, but I’m not looking for minds right now. If I brick wall could fuck me, I’d be all over it. But ever since I got here, like I said, I’ve been finding it hard to care.

This is all in secret of course. Despite my lack of caring, I do have an image in the Dragon’s Lair I wish to uphold. Being Fierna’s son and some sort of Grand Promise of Chaos, my title, not even joking, it does carry some clout with it, clout I kind of enjoy. I like my position in this palace, I also enjoy my position under the blacksmith, so I keep it hidden and secreted away. I use an excuse of enjoying wrought iron in my visits to the blacksmith. My bed is a four post wrought iron work of art, and it breaks so often that the blacksmith is often in my quarters to repair it. 

One day, after a particularly rough session with the blacksmith, my mood has not improved like it usually does. I was hoping that, a rough pounding, a hard orgasam, and some wine would help erase the day I had, but it didn’t. Instead, all it did was remind me that it was there and it wasn’t leaving.

“You seem pissed,” the blacksmith chuckles. “Need another go?”

I grump, pouting out my lips as I close my eyes. “Of course I do. But I don’t think it will help at all.” I lay there, letting him touch me.

“What possible problems could a pretty thing like you have?” The blacksmith says as he kisses my neck and chest. His big hands stroke down my body, taking my leg and bending it back so my knee touches my shoulder.

“Pretty things like me have tons of problems.” I relax, letting his tongue go down my thigh as his fingers caress over my groin.

The blacksmith has a taunting laugh as he moves me, making me lay on my stomach. My tail twitches, a little annoyed but I enjoy the attention anyways. “Is someone prettier than you?”

“Nothing so simple,” I scoff. “It’s work. It has been irritating me as of late.” I inch my ass up in the air as the blacksmith dribbles more oil onto my skin. His strong hands massage the oil into my thighs and ass, squeezing the plump flesh gratuitously and kneading his fingers into me. 

“This one stupid little courtier, keeps getting in my way.” I grunt as his strong grip kneads into my muscle. “He’s friends with the business minister.”

The blacksmith’s fingers slip down between my cheeks and his fingers ease back inside me. His seed still lingers within me and it squirts out a little with his fingers. “Let me guess, he keeps getting in the way?”

I frown and moan, lifting my ass a bit more and my tail twitches back and forth. “He mangled a deal I was working on for House Lavette.” I take in a deep breath as his fingers go deeper inside me. His big fingers stretch me, opening me up as well as arousing me again. “It’s been absolute hell trying to start this trade again. Ah-” I moan into the pillow as his fingers stir me up.

“How horrible for you.” The blacksmith bends over me, kissing my back and biting me. “Working over a desk with that quill must be so laborious. So much more difficult than slaving over flames and an anvil.” He bites the back of my neck and my tail whips up his chest.

“It is,” I moan, stretching my arms out before me and opening my thighs. “What’s worse, I have to deal with you bitching.”

He laughs, pulling his hand away from me. “Then why not fuck the courtier then? Maybe that’s all he wants is your attention.” He shoves his cock inside me, a little unceremonious but I’ve not been fucking him for the romance. 

Those strong and calloused hands of his dig into my ass. One lets go, grabbing the base of my tail which he pulls on. I cry out, unable to keep restraint anymore now that he’s inside me. I bury my face into the pillows, writhing that big cock of his makes me his plaything. If it wasn’t for his dick and hands, I’d have probably ditched him long ago. He’s a good fuck, but as I said, it would be the same if he was a brick wall. I’m not in this for the romance, not anymore.

I don’t mind that the blacksmith takes his own pleasure, giving little regard to my own. I’m using him, he’s using me, that’s fine. I love the feeling of someone pawing and slobbering all over me, his big, meaty hands on my body, his cock inside me. The way he ravages me, taking what he wants, drives a pleasure deep inside me that I want. I don’t want to be a person when I’m with him, I want to be just a thing, an object. I don’t want to have to think, I don’t even want to have to feel. I just want to exist for a time without having to actually be anything. 

Once he cums he wastes no time in falling asleep. He pulls himself from me and lays down on the bed, giddy as can be. He’s had his fill, and now he must rest to ravage another day. I lay there, face in the pillows, cock still hard. I’m alone again and I am existing, but as myself again.

I rise from the bed and go over to the fireplace, taking a seat and pouring myself some wine. I stroke my cock as I sip, thinking about that annoying little courtier who has been mucking up my work. Maybe the blacksmith had a point, maybe if I got him wrapped around my finger I could finally get some work done. Although, he wasn’t much to look at. August I think his name is? He’s rather short, and a little chubby, covered from head to toe in freckles with a mop of ginger hair. He’s not my usual fare at all, far from, but for the sake of work maybe I could do it.

When I come, it’s hollow again. My arousal is over, my afterglow is fleeting. I finish off my wine as I sit naked in front of the fire, idly drifting between thoughts until I go to bed. I know that the blacksmith will not hold me in my sleep, and he will be gone by the time I wake. That’s fine.

The next morning I wake up, hearing someone in my room. Surely it is not the blacksmith, he should have been gone hours ago. I rise in bed, looking over at a figure that was sweeping around the fireplace. 

“What the hell are you doing?” I grumble.

They turn and look at me, I don’t recognize them but they’re wearing a Lavette staff uniform. Their face is lovely, but something about their sharp eyes sets me on edge. As I sit up in bed they stare back at me with a cold, unrelenting stare.

This new maid hold up the broom in their hands. “I am cleaning. I was told a pig lives in this room, but I have yet to find it.”

I chuckle, standing up naked from bed. “I think they were talking about me.”

“That was my second choice.” They continue to sweep even as I walk towards them. I place my hands on my hips as I watch them. I notice their fingers have joints, as do their elbows. They’re made of machinery. 

“And who are you?” I ask. “Something new to Fierna’s collection?”

“I am simply new to the staff,” they respond. “My name is Lena.”

I smirk at them, their pretty face is a welcome change. “Well, do you know who I am?” 

They look me over, unflinching as they gaze at my nakedness. “I was only told to clean the room of the pig. So, I can only assume you are a pig.”

I chuckle, enamored by the witty banter. “I am Mercutio, my dear.” I reach for my robe and slip it over my body. “I may be a pig, but I am a high ranking pig.”

“I serve the palace,” Lena responds. “Rank matters not to me.”

“Well it should.” I tighten the belt of the robe and tie it off. “Learn to please the right people, and your job can become remarkably easy.” I look around my room, realizing how big of a pigsty is actually is. I haven’t paid attention to it, I mainly just use it to sleep and fuck, but I can now see my clothes strewn everywhere. Piles have formed, mountains even. The bed is disheveled, my desk hidden by more clothes. 

“Do a good job here and maybe I’ll remember your name.” I walk passed them as I grab some clothes from on top of my desk. “I expect this place spotless when I return.”

I get dressed, heading down to work. As I walk into the office, I see August already hard at work. I suppose I could get him fired, that’s been a passion project of mine as of late, seeing as many people that annoy me tosses from the palace. But then I think how much easier it would be to have this little guy on my side. After all, his connections with the business minister would be profitable, not to mention if he becomes enamored with me, I could have him do as I please.

I walk by him, using my tail to knock some things off his desk. “Oh dear, how clumsy of me.” I bend over in front of him to scoop up the papers I knocked over. In the process my tail wiggles, stroking over his lap.

I place the pages back onto his desk with a smile. “I’ll try not to do it again.” I give him a wink, watching his freckled face grow bright red.

“Quite alright, Ma-master Mercuito.” He adjusts his thick glasses. 

I smile as I walk away from him, going back into my room where my smile instantly vanishes when I see Darling is holding a letter for me. I snatch it from them, seeing Fierna’s handwriting I grumble under my breath as I sit down.

Her orders are as follows: create a fake persona, a woman, and seduce the Duke of Torva. It’s well known the Duke is in a rather unhappy marriage. His wife is frigid and was arranged. He’s been known to use his maid staff as his own personal harem, but as of late, the queen has replaced the entire staff with older men. The Duke was starving, and I was being made to give him an apple.  Slowly but surely, I was to seduce and tempt the Duke, luring him into my clutches before convincing him to elope with me, it would be then the trap would set off and create a ripple. The Duke would be caught, he’d be put on trial, and from there the seeds of chaos and discord would blossom.

It would be a long project for certain, but it would at least bring my talents out and give me plenty to think about. I would create a loving and beautiful character, one that would lure the Duke to his certain doom. 

After composing the first letter and sending it away with Darling, I was feeling a bit excited. I decided to pay a quick visit to the blacksmith, but on my way out of the office I noticed August was a bunch of papers. He was having a hard time carrying them all, and some of his armload had scattered behind him. He was too timid to even ask for help, but didn’t seem to mind ruining all my trade deals.

I came up beside him, picking up the things he had dropped then taking some of his burden. “You’re not moving away are you?”

August flinches, taking a step away from me. “No, Master Mercutio,” he quips nervously. “Just putting some new supplies in my desk.” My tail coils around his leg and he loses his breath. “I uh-” He swallows hard and glances up at me.

I help him take the items to his desk. “That’s quite a lot,” I remark. “Have you been going without some of these things?”

August sits at his desk, his cheeks bright red. “I like to wait sometimes.”

I notice he has rather big, meaty hands like the blacksmith, only they look softer, more tender. He has thick arms, but they too have a softness to them. His square jaw is nice and I can see faint ginger curls under the collar of his shirt. 

“Waiting can be fun,” I purr. “Sometimes that build up is exciting. You keep this thing you need, you want, just out of reach long enough, and once you have it, it’s almost better than you could ever imagine.”

His cheeks turn a deeper shade of red and he takes off his glasses. “Yes well uhm-” He clears his throat as he tries to distract himself by cleaning his glasses. “That’s not exactly why I do it.”

I bite my lip as I watch him, enjoying that flustered and befuddled expression. “Is there something you like that you haven’t done in a while, August?” I look at his desk, seeing it’s prim and neat, unlike mine. “Do you go out and have drinks with friends? Do you like dancing? Perhaps you save up your coin to share a special night with no one in particular.”

“Oh goodness no!” August blurts out. “I mean, I’m nothing like that, Master Mercutio.” He places his glasses on and looks back up at me. “I’m nothing so bold.”

“You should try being bold sometime, I bet it suits you.” I lick the corner of my mouth as he watches, rising up so he can see the bulge growing in my pants. His eyes linger, his lips part as he lets out a soft gasp.

“I’ll be back later,” I chuckle. “Keep up the good work.” I walk away, feeling even more invigorated than before.

I make my way down to the blacksmith, but as I go into the courtyard I see Lena is trying to make her way with a load of laundry, but is being held back by the blacksmith and his men. The look on their face is frustrated, their sharp eyes are narrowed while their mouth is pressed into a tight line. 

As I get closer, I can hear the blacksmith and his men chuckling and laughing. One of them knocks the laundry basket from Lena’s hands.

“What’s going on?” I ask loudly as I approach. Not many turn to look in my direction, most of them are still having fun keeping Lena from picking the laundry up from the ground. 

“Hey there.” The blacksmith approaches me, looping his arm around my waist. “WE’re just showing the new house toy how things work around here. Nothing to worry about.”

I furrow my brow. “Toy?” I glance back at Lena who is trying to pull laundry from under one of the men’s feet.

“This little clockwork thing thinks it is above the hierarchy here.” The blacksmith’s palm gropes my ass, an action I don’t particularly enjoy at this moment. “It thinks it’s all high and mighty, you know? When really, why is it better than us? It’s a thing.”

I scowl a bit, looking back at Lena who looks frustrated to tears. Their hands are shaking and I can feel the misery they are suffering. It’s then that one of the men yanks on Lena’s clothes, ripping them while tossing Lena to the ground.

I shove the blacksmith off me and go to Lena’s side, helping pick them up off the ground. “Ok, ok,” I scoff. “I think you have all had your fun. Just leave them alone.”

“It’s just a toy, what does it matter?” The blacksmith laughs.

I move Lena behind me. “Exactly, what does it matter?” I prod my finger into his chest. “They’re just working, why does it matter? Why bother them at all?”

“Please, just step aside,” Lea huffs at me. 

“Come on,” the blacksmith laughs. “We’re just having fun is all.”

I cowl. “This isn’t fun, this is bullying. You say they don’t matter then why bother with them at all? Answer me.”

The blacksmith scowls down at me, the joy in his eyes as turned to irritation. “Look at it? It’s a thing, it has no feelings, it’s like a dog. It’s worse than a dog.”

Lena tries to step around me but I stop them. “If that’s how you talk about dogs I’d hate to see how you talk about people you don’t like.”

The blacksmith’s eyes narrow on me. “Yeah, I bet YOU would hate to hear that.” He shoves my shoulder. “Now move along before you really piss me off.”

“I don’t care how you feel,” I scoff. “In fact, I don’t think I’ll ever care again. I can find someone else to repair my bed from now on.”

The blacksmith spits to the side and stomps closer towards me. “Be careful what you say, tiefling.” He sneers the last word with enough pile and venom for me to catch the drift. I slap his hand away and he swings to try and hit me. I dodge, pushing Lena back as he charges at me, swinging again. By now, the guards are paying attention, and they rush forward, surrounding the blacksmith and his men so that Lena and I are away from them. 

“You ok?” I ask them.

Lena nods, holding their waist where the uniform is ripped. “I’ll be fine. I just have to do that stupid laundry again.”

I chuckle and shake my head. “I’ll write a letter letting the head of staff know what happened. I’ll make sure you don’t get in trouble for this.”

Lena furrows their brow at me. “What the hell for?”

I shrug. “Who knows? Maybe I’ll need a favor one day. Like I said, you need to know who to make friends with here.” I take off my jacket and wrap it around Lena so their ripped clothes are covered. “I expect that back.”

Well, now that the blacksmith is gone I guess I’ll have to find someone else to ‘fix my bed’. Not too big a loss I suppose, I guess I was wrong about comparing him to a brick wall, at least the brick wall wouldn’t be an asshole to people. 

Over the next few days, I continue my romance with the Duke of Torva. My room also gets cleaned, possibly by Lena. I see them in passing, nodding to them and they nod back. They’re strange, not quite like the rest of the people here. Perhaps I should worry about that, oh well.

One evening, after finishing a particularly grueling forgery, I come out of my office to see August is still at his desk. The other few courtiers have gone, leaving August and I alone. I walk up to his desk, lean on his chair so I can gaze over his shoulder. 

“Working the candle from both ends?” I purposefully blow into his ear as I talk, making him shiver and the hairs on his neck stand on end.

“Yes, Master Mercutio,” he gasps. “Sorry I was-” He glances back at me, eyes wide or perhaps that’s just because of his thick glasses.

I walk around his chair, looking at his work which includes papers I know I assigned to other courtiers. I frown at them then glare down at him. “Don’t tell me you’re the whipping boy around here,” I scoff.

He looks down at his desk, quill still in hand. “It’s easier than most things.”

“Not for me, it isn’t.” I sit down on his desk, moving the papers away from him. “I try to run a tight ship. I thought I had good, dutious workers on my hands, but apparently I don’t. Apparently, I have one remarkable little worker bee.”

August remains silent, his head hung low.

“Give me the names of the ones pushing you to do their work.”

“Master Mercutio-”

I coil my tail around his leg. “No excuses, August,” I snarl sternly. “Give me their names, so I can thank them properly for all their hard work.”

He looks up at me, big green eyes, peer over the rims of his glasses. It’s kind of cute, like a puppy dog begging for a treat.

“Lindant and Horcroft, bu-but please don’t-” He stops as I slide off the desk. I kneel down before him and spread his knees open. “Master Mercutio, what are you doing?” The breath is knocked right out of him and his knuckles go white on the arms of his chair.

I undo the laces of his pants, tugging them open. I’m greeted by a soft, warm belly with ginger curls on it. I then see his cock, a short chubby thing like him. I giggle to myself, licking my chops as I take him into my hand.

“I’m rewarding you, August,” I purr. “For all your hard work.” I stroke him slowly, watching his face go red, his eyes grow wide. His lips hang open, a bit of drool glistening on his bottom lip.

I dip down, taking his cock into my mouth and sucking him. He pulses, growing and hardening for me I kiss his belly, his thighs, tugging his pants down more until they are around his ankles. He’s a hairy thing, but that’s never offended me, it’s just a surprise considering how clean shaven he looks. 

I coil my tongue around his shaft as he grows, feeling it plump up deliciously for me. He’s quite thick already and only half hard. I moan against him, kneading my hands into his soft thighs. I glance up at him, seeing he’s breathing deep and shivering.

I lift my mouth up with a pop and grin at him. “How am I doing? Are you enjoying your reward?” I kiss his thighs and sack, suckling a ball into my mouth.

“Master Mercutio!” He cries out. “Please this is-” He moans, throwing his head back over the chair as I drag my lips up his shaft. I slathering my tongue all over him then sit back to gaze in awe at what’s erect before me.

“My gods, August,” I awe in pleasure. “You’ve been hiding more than just your workload from me.” I stroke him in my hand, enjoying the way my blue skin looks against his pink cock. He’s stout and hard, an impressive cock for someone of his stature. I take his tip back into my mouth, swirling my tongue around and around as my hand squeezes the base.

“Master Mercutio-” his voice wrables as he enjoys me. “Oh gods, please-” his voice cracks and his hips buck, pushing himself deeper into my mouth. I can feel him trembling and shaking. His thighs tense and his ass arches up off the chair. 

His cries of pleasure echo around the room as his come floods the back of my mouth. It’s such a surprising load, so thick is globs and chokes me. He comes out of my nose, even as I pull away, his thick, molten load spurts over my face and seals an eye shut. 

August wheezes and whines, catching his breath he tries to choke out a feeble apology. But I am beyond mad, in fact, I’m very pleased. I gulp him down knowing this thick come had been saved for a while. I grin as I lick my lips, knowing that now I have two problems solved.

“I’m so sorry, Master Mercutio, I couldn't hold it any longer. You felt so good and I-” He silences as I stand. 

“No need to apologize.” I wipe my face with a handkerchief. “I understand more than you think.” I then hold my hand out to him. “Put your pants on and let me treat you to dinner.”

“I would like to,” he breathes. “But I don’t think I can walk.”

I chuckle gleefully and sit down in his lap. “No need to rush at all.” I kiss his neck and cheek. “We have all night anyways.”

August was very much the opposite of the blacksmith, which I should have expected. Unlike him, August treated our time together like we were on equal ground, if anything he pampered me too much, he was making me spoiled. He was very much a puppy who was eager to please. He cuddled me when we slept together, holding me close, my back to his chest, his forehead to my shoulder. It felt strange at first, but I soon grew dependent on those cuddlings.

I knew it was best to keep my emotions separated, much like with the blacksmith, but with August I was completely taken off guard. Those puppy dog eyes got me each and every time, making me wonder who really had who wrapped around their finger.

In any case, work has become so much easier now that the two of us were intimate. His friendship with the business minister made things a breeze, coupled together with a new staff, I was able to get done with twice the amount of work as before. I was still dealing with the Duke of Tova, of course. He was an easy catch, but a tougher nut to crack than I initially thought. Though he was eager for any sort of affection, his wife still had a fearsome chokehold on him. 

I had taken one of the letters back to my room with me, hoping that August could drum up some inspiration for me. Once he was asleep from an exhaustion well earned, I sat at my desk composing the letter I was sure would get the Duke to finally agree to elope. It was hot, heavy, and dare I say a romantic tour de force. 

I went back to bed, curling under the sheets as August dozed dreamily. I snuggled up close to him, pulling him close and using his arm as a pillow. I loved the way his belly pressed against my lower back and how his hand went to my hip. I had to remind myself I needed to be careful, image and all, but it was hard to care when I felt this comfortable.

I woke in the morning, stretching out over the cool sheets. August was gone, which wasn’t unusual, he snuck out early most days just before the staff got up. I put on my robe and went over to my desk to look over the letter to the Duke of Torva one last time, except it’s gone. I look in all the drawers, thinking maybe I had tucked it away, but no. I distinctly remember laying the letter and the one from the Duke on the desk and placing my ink well over them. I look around the room, realizing my clothes from last night are neatly folded at the end of the bed.

“Lena,” I snarl under my breath. I hurriedly get dressed and rush down the hall. As I come to the stairs, I see Lena just ahead of me. I grab them, pushing them against the wall of the stairwell. 

“Ok you, where is it?” I snarl.

Their eyes flick over my face before they tilt their chin up. “Where is what?”

I don’t have time for this, I don’t particularly feel like it either. “You know what I am talking about!”

Lena pushes my hand off of them and dusts off their shoulder. “Someone has woken up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.”

“Enough with the cutesy platitudes, I want that letter back.” I jab my hand out to them and Lena just looks at it with a roll of their eyes. “What was that look?”

Lena gently pushes my hand down. “The look of an exhausted staff member, now if you please, Master Mercutio.”

I click my tongue against the roof of my mouth. “You’re the only one who could have been in my room! I told the head of staff you were the only one I would allow. So fess up! You’re not making things easier on yourself by lying. Tell the truth and maybe, but only very slightly maybe, will I be kind to you.”

Lena tilts his chin up, but only very slightly. “Just like you are oh so kind to the kingdom, Master Mercutio?”

I shake my head as my lips part open. “Excuse me?”

“It seems silly to go after the Duke of Torva, don’t you think?” They quip. “I mean, what real power does he have? The man isn’t respected by anyone around him, even his wife has more power than he does and she never even had a title before marrying him.” Lena smirks, a soft chuckle escaping their lips. “But still, one less Duke to divide the court against House Lavette isn’t it? Because what was his crime really aside from opposing Charles at every turn?”

“How did you-” I cut myself off and shake my head. “You’re not just some adorable little maid are you?”

Lena curtseys. “I just want a job and a roof over my head, Master Mercutio. Life is awfully hard out there for clockwork like me.”

A smirk cuts across my face as I look at Lena. “Exactly. So hand over the letter.” I thrust my hand back out again.

Lena returns the smile and shakes their head. “I really don’t have it, Master Mercutio.” They turn out their pockets before me. “Your new friend August took them this morning while I was cleaning.”

I sigh with relief but tense up all over again. I look Lena in the eye and I can’t help but laugh. “Who is a pretty little work of art like you working for? Awfully smart! You knew exactly what would happen! You got me to fess up like a child who just burnt their hand on the cookie tray.” I lick my lips as Lena’s smile turns a bit smug.

“Consider that a warning, Master Mercutio.” Lena bows their head. “I could have more than enough evidence to convict you of this plot against the Duke of Torva, but I do owe you a small favor. If you aren’t careful from now on, you could get caught with your hand in the cookie jar.”

I chuckle and lay my hands on my hips. “You know I’m going to do all I can to find out who you are. I’m going to keep you close, which isn’t exactly a good place to be. The closer you are, the harder it will be for you to hide under the cover of innocence.” My tail twitches, flicking and whipping excitedly. 

“Confidence is cute for some, Master Mercutio, but it makes you look like an asshole.” They glance down the stairwell. “Shouldn’t you be getting on to work?”

I shake my head as I grin. “Enjoy yours while it lasts, Lena. You may be digging out the pig pins sooner than you think.” 

Lena smiles, walking down the stairs as I walk back up. 

Sure enough, I found that August had taken the letters for me and had them laid out on my desk when I arrived at work. I changed the letter, making it completely different from what Lena had read. I wrote to the Duke a new meeting place near the border, and sure enough, a week later I received word that the Duke had been arrested. It did nothing to assuage my concern over Lena. I still had no clue who they were outside the fact that they were a beautifully crafted work of art.

Not long after my conversation with Lena, I sent Darling and my Imps after them to dig up any information on them I could. I am not surprised that they only come up with the obvious, after all, if I was to send a spy into an enemies home I would make them as connectionless and hollow as a piece of clockwork like Lena. All I knew about Lena was how observant they were, I had never met someone with such a keen eye and knack for detail. Whoever sent Lena knew what they were doing, and that is probably what worried me the most.

One afternoon while I am working, Lena comes into my office. I glare up at them as they come towards my desk.

“What do you want?” I place a book over my paperwork so they can’t see. “Come to confess who you are?”

“No, I came to warn you,” Lena replies. “There is a stranger in the castle.”

I hold my hands out and shrug. “There are always strangers in the castle. What’s to warn me about?”

Lena comes closer, rounding the side of my desk and standing beside me. “You are not understanding me, Master Mercutio. This stranger is a dangerous one.”

I cut my eyes at them. “One of yours?”

Lena shakes their head. “I cannot be certain, but I think they are here to kill someone. I would look over your shoulder, Master Mercutio. You have several targets painted on your back.”

I look at them in disbelief. “Why are you telling me this? Wouldn't your job, whatever it is, be easier if I were dead?”

Lena’s lovely face inches closer to mine. “Without you, there is no job. I need you alive, Master Mercutio.”

“How romantic,” I tease. “Perhaps we should kiss to make this moment all the more special?”

Lena pops my cheek. “You are not as cute as all that.” They then rise back up. “Keep your eyes open for strangers. Keep your mind prepared.” They whisk away out the door again, leaving me ever more confused about their purpose here.

As I am leaving that evening, I find August eagerly waiting on me at his desk. He stands as I walk by him and quickly joins my side. “I hope you don’t mind, but I would like to go over some of today’s-”

“Not tonight, August,” I say sternly.

His eager expression melts. “Oh but...I thought-” He looks at the ledger in his hands, the one he uses to make excuses to have dinner with me in my room. “Tonight was special.”

I hate how it hurts me to see that look in his eye, but I need to take Lena’s words of caution seriously. If August were to get hurt because of me, I don’t think I could stand it. I could end up burning this whole castle to the ground.

“Not tonight, August.” I whisper again. “It will have to wait. Just trust me on this.” I swallow down my want to hold him. “We’ll discuss things in the morning.” I leave him there, going down the hallway with my heart in my throat. 

As I head towards my chambers, I notice that the hallway is strangely quiet. A cold sweat trickles down the nape of my neck and my tail stands stiff behind me. I look all around, there is no one there when there is always someone here. I come to the top of the stairs, and there I see one of the guards slumped over, his head resting on the stair, his jaw open, but his eyes are blank.

“Fuck!” My voice catches in my throat, forming a tight lump that begins to choke me. I start to rush down the stairs but I hear someone coming up behind me. I fall frozen, listening to the smooth even footsteps ascend confidently towards me. 

I race up but something sharp hits my shoulder. My arm becomes heavy, and my side grows numb. There’s another sting to my leg and it gives out underneath me. I fall onto the stair, looking up as a woman comes to stand over me. She’s wearing a blood stained apron over her uniform and her long hair hangs in her face. 

“It’s easier if you just sit still, Master.” She takes a blade out from under her apron. 

The dead guard would look like a struggle. She would make it look like we fought on the stairs, killing each other. I tried to move, but whatever she poisoned me with was quickly numbing all of my body. I could feel it creep up warm in my neck and face as she drew near. Her first cut went along my face. She then stabbed my shoulder. I couldn’t feel it, but I could feel the rush of blood leaving my veins. She makes another cut, then another, and another. The warmth of the poison is the only thing I know for sure.

The next thing I knew there was blood spilling down her throat. She gasped and choked, toppling down the stairs as Lena presses her back against the wall. She turns and looks at me. 

“See, I told you so.” It’s the last thing I hear before I fade away from this world. 

I wake up, seeing the castle doctor standing over me. His breath stinks and his hands are cold. I shake my head away, but that warmth from the poison returns.

“Don’t move,” the doctor’s voice croaks. “There’s still plenty of that venom in your system. The more you move the more you’ll feel it. Best stay calm and drink plenty of fluids to flush it out.” He then chuckles. “Too bad it didn’t leave with your blood.”

“I feel sick,” I gurge.

“Not surprised.” The doctor says as he steps away. “You lost a lot of blood, not to mention the venom. Bed rest, that’s all I can suggest. Lots of rest, lots of fluids. No solid food for a while.” He packs up his bag. “But at least you got this pretty thing to take care of you.”

I look to the side, seeing Lena standing there diligently. “I will make sure he abides by what you prescribe.”

“You...you saved me,” I murmur weakly as the doctor leaves. “Why would you do that? Why would you-”

Lena puts their hand over my mouth. “Because you fool, I told you once already, I need you alive.” They then stand back up. “Now keep your mouth shut, save your energy for healing.”

“How long have I been out?” I murmur. 

“Long enough to cause a panic.” Lena pours a glass of water and helps me sit up so I can drink it. Even the water on my stomach makes me feel disgustingly nauseous. I push Lena’s hand away and fall back onto the bed. 

“August,” I grumble. “Where’s August?”

Lena points to my desk where August is slumped over asleep. “He’s been working, unlike some people.”

“Hey,” I huff, “I almost died. Give me some slack.”

Lena turns their gaze towards August. “You don’t deserve someone like him.”

“I know,” I whisper. “I don’t even deserve someone like you.”

Lena’s cuts their eyes back at me and smiles. “No, you deserve me.”

“I’ll take that as a threat.” I close my eyes as the water I drank gurgles uncomfortably through my system.

The next time I wake, I see August standing over me. I reach out to take his hand, but he steps away from me. I reach out again, but my hand is taken by the doctor. Of course, he’s stepping away from me because that’s what I wanted.

After the doctor leaves, Lena throws away the dirt bandages while August helps me to sit up. He places a tray on my lap and serves a bowl of warm broth to me.

“Thank you,” I sigh. I look up at August, seeing a strange look to his eyes. I don’t see puppy dog eyes anymore, there is something else there.

“Can you even look at me?” I ask.

August turns his head to the side. “I’ve been taking care of things in the office for you. You won’t have to worry about much.”

I look down at the broth, still not feeling ready to consume anything. “August, I’m-”

“Be quiet,” August huffs. “You don’t have to say anything.”

My heart hurts, it actually hurts. “But, August.”

August takes off his glasses and rubs his eyes. I see tears on his face and I reach to touch him but he pulls away from me. 

“I think he cares about you,” Lena speaks up.

August puts his glasses back on and sniffles. “Who are you talking to?” He snaps.

“Both of you,” Lena scoffs. “Men are idiots.” They stride out the door with the dirty laundry, leaving August and I alone.

He stand there siently, looking at the door and avoiding me. 

“Thanks for taking care of things,” I murmur. “Once I’m better I’ll reward you.”

“No rewards,” August huffs. “No more fake ledgers or private meetings.” He glares back at me. “If I want to come to your room, I’ll come to your room. No stories. No lies.”

“August,” I whisper. “You’re getting me excited.”

“You could have told me!” He snaps.

“I didn’t want you to get hurt.” I gulp down the lump in my throat. “Not because of me. Not because of-” I look down into the bowl of broth. 

“You act like you don’t care about anything. But if that was the case you wouldn’t take your job so seriously. You wouldn’t write trades that benefit the workers or the villagers.”

I frown. “You caught that?”

“I’m not an idiot, Mercutio! You argue too much for things that will cost us more but benefit the people outside this castle. What evil fucking mastermind does that?”

“I just want to piss as many people off as possible,” I scoff.

August sits down on the bed beside me and picks up the bowl of broth. He presses it to my lips and makes me drink. “You piss me off too, you know that?”

I push the bowl aside, tilting my head to meet his kiss. “If I promise not to, can I keep rewarding you?”

August’s puppy dog eyes return. “I don’t want rewards, Mercutio.” He kisses me softly again. “I just want you.”