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Donatello knew that the emperor was not a forgiving man. Giving up a small prayer to the gods, he limped his way to the kitchens and hoped everyone would believe his act. It wasn’t entirely an act. He was still recovering. \n\nThe already sweltering kitchen was packed full of cooks and slaves who had accompanied Raphael’s uncles and grandfather. Every one of them were running around, making sure that the meal met their respective masters’ preferences.\n\nDonatello kept his head down, doing his best to avoid the visiting slaves while, at the same time, listening in to their conversations. Any information he can glean from them might prove to be valuable to Raphael. \n\nOf course, they were all trained to do the same, so Donatello watched what he said around his fellow slaves. \n\nIn accordance to the new rules, Donatello was followed out of the kitchen by a few small children. They had all proven themselves to be well behaved and didn’t mind tasting the wonderful foods that were meant for the royal family. \n\nTo them, it was a treat. Their innocent minds didn’t fully understand why they were chosen to eat from the plates of the royals. All they knew was, if they behaved, they got to eat better than they ever had before. \n\nThe emperor sat at the head of the table with his wife, mates and children sitting to his left and Raphael’s uncles and cousins sitting to his right. There were several other turtles who were obviously related to the emperor sitting with them, though Donatello could not tell where they sat on the twisted family tree. \n\nDonatello did his best to keep himself focused on the familiar task of serving Raphael, Michelangelo, and Leonardo. As long as he didn’t let himself think about the emperor, he would be alright. The last thing he wanted was to draw attention to himself. \n\n“I had a meeting with Oroku Saki today,” Benvolio said as he cut his steak. “I am impressed with the amount of information you have been able to gather in such a short time.”\n\n“The threat was against the empire as a whole,” Raphael replied. “I had to act quickly.”\n\nOne of Raphael’s uncles scoffed. “Why would the humans side with the crocodiles? Foolish creatures.”\n\n“They are short lived,” Benvolio stated. “Even their eldest were not yet born during the time the crocodiles ruled, so they don’t remember their cruelty. The kingdoms are doing far better now. This very kingdom was plagued by demons when the crocodiles ruled the empire. They never tried to cleans it. It was a turtle who cleared this land and built the kingdom.”\n\n“Now it is one of the richest kingdoms,” another Raphael’s uncles added then gave Raphael a piercing sideways glance. “Far too important to the empire to be left in the hands of an inexperienced child.”\n\n“It took my father nearly a decade to figure out how to properly run this kingdom. I have learned a lot from him,” Raphael argued. “An outsider would take years to learn what I already know and to build the trust of the nobles. This kingdom would once again suffer a loss during that time.” \n\n“Enough,” Benvolio said. “Your bickering won’t sway my decision one way or another.”\n\n“It took centuries for the kingdom to become rich enough for the crocodiles to take notice,” Michelangelo stated. “Generations had passed before they tried to take it.”\n\n“You know your history,” Benvolio said with a smile. “I was born here. My grandfather was the head of one of many large turtle clans that had settled after the land was safe. They came to escape the crocodiles. They were content here for a long time. When the crocodiles tried to take it for their own, the clans came together and fought them. \n\n“They didn’t stop at simply protecting this kingdom.” Benvolio shook his head. “After seeing the horrors the people suffered, under crocodile rule, they decided to liberate the empire. My grandfather was the one who overthrew the crocodile emperor. He had every right to claim the empire for himself. \n\n“But he was foolish,” Benvolio sneered. “When the other clan leaders demanded they be rewarded for their contributions to the revolution, my grandfather caved in and split the empire in to several kingdoms. A kingdom for each clan. It took me nearly a century to right that wrong.”\n\n“And you succeeded where the crocodiles failed,” Michelangelo said. “You added this kingdom to the empire.”\n\n“As it should be,” Benvolio replied. \n\nMichelangelo nodded. “The crocodiles would have lost this kingdom if they had managed to take it.”\n\nOne of their cousins side eyed Michelangelo. “How so?”\n\n“Someone with the blood of the first king needs to be in the kingdom in order for the demons to stay away,” Michelangelo stated. “I doubt the crocodiles would have kept the king’s descendants alive.”\n\nThe cousin looked at his father. “Does that mean we would have to keep the broken slave?”\n\nHis father snorted. “It’s just stories. The slave is not needed.”\n\n“Not worth the risk,” Benvolio said. “Arigio believed the stories.” He considered Donatello for a moment while he chewed. “You should see if one of the farmers would be willing to have their daughter mate with your slave. Offer the family some silver for their troubles. A small handful will be more than they would see in a lifetime. If you are lucky you can get a boy and a girl out of her and then breed them when they come of age. That way you keep the bloodline here as slaves.”\n\n“That is a good idea, grandfather,” Raphael agreed, though Donatello could tell that the idea disgusted the prince. “It would be even better if the first egg hatched a girl. Then Donatello could breed again with its daughter when it came of age.”\n\nBenvolio’s face lit up in approval. “If the gods are good. A daughter on the first try is very rare.” \n\nDonatello’s stomach churned. \n\nAfter the meal, Raphael spent several more hours with his grandfather, touring the castle and the grounds. Fortunately, Donatello was given leave to clean and tend to other tasks. He was grateful that he didn’t have to follow the emperor around. \n\nIt should have been relatively stress free. However, it was not. Donatello noticed that the other slaves seemed to be keeping their distance or giving him the cold shoulder. When they talked, they kept their conversation short and simple. \n\nThough he felt that he already knew the answer, Donatello asked, “Why are you guys so mad at me?” He was sure they were still angry at him over turning Lacey in. \n\n“The fact that you pissed yourself and passed out in front of the emperor and you’re standing here. If any of us had done that, we’d be dead,” one of them said. \n\nAt Donatello’s surprised expression, another slave scoffed. “And the fact that you’re too stupid to realize the kind of power you could have over the prince.”\n\n“I am just a slave,” Donatello argued. “I hold no power at all over the prince.”\n\n“We all know how much he wants you but that you continue to reject him,” another said. “He’d have to love you to put up with that. You can use that to your advantage. It doesn’t matter how you really feel. Make him believe you’re in love with him and fuck him whenever he wants it. Then you can subtly suggest ways to make life better for all of us while he’s in a good mood.”\n\n“The emperor hasn’t made his decision yet,” Donatello pointed out. “We don’t know who our king will be or where we’ll all end up.”\n\n“I suppose you are right,” the first slave replied as he walked away. “But, think about the position you will be in if he does become king. You would be the head of all the slaves in the castle.”\n\n“And, think about this,” the second slave said. “How long do you think it will be before he grows tired of waiting and what do you think will happen to you once he does?”\n\nDonatello stood in stunned silence as the other slaves left. He had no idea that his relationship with Raphael was so well know but at the same time, he was not surprised. Slaves were observant and were often ignored. Even Donatello had a tendency to forget they were there from time to time. \n\nWhat they had said to him struck a chord. He had no desire to try to sway Raphael in any way but the thought of Raphael growing tired of Donatello rejecting him, had him worried. What would happen to him when the prince lost interest? \n\nThe thought continued to plague him as he made his way back to Raphael’s room. When he entered, he found Raphael standing by the window, looking out. \n\n“I hope I haven’t kept you waiting,” Donatello said, bowing deeply. \n\n“I haven’t been here long,” Raphael replied. He looked and sounded drained. Stepping away from the window, he allowed Donatello to undress him. “I don’t know how much longer I can take all of this.”\n\n“I know it’s stressful,” Donatello said, doing his best to sound sympathetic. “It’s the not knowing that’s the hardest part. Hopefully his excellence will make his decision soon.” \n\nOnce undressed, Raphael picked up the loose slacks he usually slept in but Donatello stopped him before he had the chance to put them on. “How about a nice massage to help ease some tension,” Donatello offered. “It will help you sleep better.”\n\n“I would like that,” Raphael admitted with a sigh. “I doubt it will help me sleep. Not unless you have a way to rid me of my nightmares.” \n\n“I wish I knew how.” Donatello directed Raphael to the bed and then collected some sweet scented oils from across the room. By the time he returned with his selection, Raphael was lying face down on the bed. \n\nStarting with Raphael’s shoulders, Donatello kneaded the tight muscles with some lavender scented oil. A lump formed in his throat as he debated on what he should do. His conversation with the other slaves still weighed heavily on his mind. How far was he willing to go and was it really worth it? Though he hated to admit it, part of him didn’t want to leave Raphael. Maybe he could fake it if it meant staying where he was. \n\nMaking up his mind, Donatello switched to Raphael’s legs. He started with the calves and slowly worked his way up. As he got closer to Raphael’s butt, the prince lifted his head a little to look back at Donatello. It was hard to read him but there was no sign of protest. \n\nDonatello dipped his fingers down along Raphael’s inner thigh and then turned his hand to slide them along the underside of Raphael’s tail. This elicited a gasp from the prince. Carefully, Raphael shifted then turned over on his back to look directly at Donatello. \n\nHis golden eyes watched Donatello. His expression was one of curiosity, desire, uncertainty, and a little bit of fear. \n\nResting his hand on Raphael’s lower plastron, Donatello leaned down for a soft kiss. \n\nRaphael returned the kiss with gusto and parted his legs. \n\nWithout breaking the kiss, Donatello reached down to circle his still slick finger around Raphael’s tight hole. Raphael churred, bucking his hips causing his growing erection to brush against Donatello’s arm. \n\nTaking that as a sign to continue, Donatello pressed his finger against the muscles and they relented. With steady strokes he pushed his finger in deeper until he reached Raphael’s prostate. Then he moved the tip of his finger in slow circles, applying gentle pressure. \n\nHe original plan was to simply finger Raphael until he climaxed but Raphael started to tug at Donatello’s clothes. His own erection growing uncomfortable, Donatello was more than obliged to take them off. He removed his finger from Raphael long enough to strip, still managing to maintain the kiss. \n\nHe could hardly believe how much he wanted it and Raphael’s needy moans only added to his desire. Though it was not his intention, it was like a flood gate had been opened. The need to be inside him was overwhelming. \n\nFinally breaking the kiss, Donatello coated his shaft with oil and joined Raphael on the bed, settling between the prince’s legs. There was no doubt that Raphael wanted it just as badly. His eyes were locked on Donatello’s cock as he anticipated being penetrated. \n\nThere was little resistance as Donatello pushed inside. The soft warmth surrounded his cock, eliciting a deep churr, enticing him to go deeper and drowning out all sense. He gave into his primal desire and began to thrust, not holding back in the slightest. \n\nGrabbing Donatello’s biceps, Raphael held tight. His head rolled back against the pillow as he let out a deep moan. The sudden tightness that accompanied Raphael’s orgasm was more than Donatello could bear. With a grunt, he finished, pushing in as deep as he could go. \n\nWhen it was done, he opened his eyes to look down at Raphael. As soft smile spread across the prince’s lips as he let out a content sigh. For the first time, in a long time, his eyes sparkled.\n\n“Feel better,” Donatello whispered, causing Raphael’s smile to widen. \n\n“Yeah,” he replied with a nod. “I feel like a weight has been removed from my soul.”\n\nSitting back on his feet, Donatello took in the sight of Raphael. “I’ll help you get clean.”\n\nHe started to get off the bed but Raphael stopped him. “It’s alright. Lie down with me.”\n\n“If you’re sure….” Donatello settled down next to Raphael with his head resting on the prince’s shoulder and was asleep as soon as he shut his eyes. \n\n…..\n\nThe emperor and his uncles followed Raphael as he did his duties running the kingdom. They sat silently while Raphael dealt with the court and then the council. The emperor wanted to see if Raphael could handle the kingdom and his uncles were waiting for any slight error. \n\nWhat was surprising was that Raphael didn’t seem to mind at all. He went about his daily duties in good spirits. He looked well rested. The dark circles under his eyes were gone and there was a lightness to his step. Leonardo even saw him smiling. Genuinely smiling. And for the first time, Leonardo saw just how beautiful he really was. \n\nIt was like a dark cloud that had been hanging over him had been blown away. But, as far as Leonardo could tell, nothing had changed. Their situation was still unknown. \n\n“You will be king,” Benvolio said unceremoniously to Raphael after three days, as they were served their supper. “We will have to coronation ceremony tomorrow and then you will marry Venus, three days later.” He indicated the young, quiet girl who had been sitting next to his wife at every meal. \n\nThe girl looked to be no older than thirteen. Her eyes stayed fixed on the food in front of her. “She’s a bastard,” the emperor stated. “Born to one of my wife’s handmaidens but Venus is of my blood and will be able to keep the bloodline pure enough.”\n\n“Thank you, grandfather,” Raphael replied. “I am deeply honored.”\n\nThough Raphael was thanking his grandfather, Leonardo could tell that he was anything but grateful. He hid it well but Leonardo was trained in how to read people. He could see the hidden pain and disgust. \n\nBeing king wasn’t something that he wanted but it was better than the alternative. \n\nLeonardo looked at Venus. She didn’t look any more pleased with the arrangement than Raphael. She almost looked like she was going to be ill. At least she was pretty and held no signs of inbreeding. Must take after her mother, because she looked nothing like Benvolio. \n\nLooking across the table, Leonardo’s eyes fell on Raphael’s uncles. They all looked livid. Whatever hopes they had of taking this kingdom for themselves or for one of their sons was gone. If Raphael was right about the nature of his family, he had made a few enemies today. Ones who will most likely invade the moment Benvolio dies. Next to being the next emperor, this kingdom was the most desired. \n\nThe coronation was held the next day, in front of the highest-ranking nobles who were able to attend. There were some who were away tending to their estates. They will not be pleased that they had missed such an important occasion. At least the majority who were there looked pleased that Raphael was going to be their king. \n\nLeonardo wasn’t sure if this was a good thing or not. He still didn’t know these people all that well yet and he couldn’t tell if they were pleased Raphael was their king because they believed in him or if it was because they thought they would be able to take advantage of the fact he was young and inexperienced. \n\nBenvolio himself placed the crown on Raphael’s head and then declared that, until Raphael sires children, Michelangelo would be schooled to be his heir. This was a relief. At least for a while, Michelangelo was safe. \n\nThe assembled nobles applauded in a modest manner that was appropriate for court. Each family came up one at a time to congratulate Raphael and to pledge their loyalty to him. \n\nAfter the coronation, Raphael stepped out onto a balcony to present himself to the people waiting below. They cheered for their new king. However, looking out among them, some of their cheers were empty. They cheered because they felt they had to, not because they loved him. There was a reason the crocodiles were able to find supporters. \n\nThe days leading up to the wedding where hectic. A royal wedding could not be a simple affair. No. It was to be a grand event. Slaves worked tirelessly to make all the preparations. Not just the palace slaves, but the slaves belonging to the nobles were also being run ragged. New gowns had to be sewn, gifts had to be acquired. The wedding would be a chance for the nobles to make alliances and try to gain favor from the new king and his young queen. \n\nMany of the lower nobles will present their young daughters to Venus in hopes they will be selected to be part of the young queen’s inner circle. To be in the queen’s inner circle would mean a better chance of a good marriage. Even the nobles out in the countryside were racing to get to the palace on time. \n\nTaking advantage of the chaos, Leonardo slipped away. With everyone busy preparing for the wedding, no one paid attention to him. \n\nBeyond the gates, he climbed a large, sturdy oak with dense foliage. The thick branches continued for several feet and he managed to climb quite high before he questioned whether or not one would be able to support him. \n\nLooking around, he made sure no one had spotted him. \n\nHe was high enough that he could look out and see Lacey. The poor woman was still alive. She was clutching the knife in her hand, so he knew that she was at least contemplating ending it. Part of Leonardo was grateful she had lasted this long. He hated that she was suffering. \n\nThere wasn’t much he could do for her but there was one thing. He could spare her any more suffering. \n\nIt had taken him longer than he would have liked to gather the tools he needed. The poison and the dart needed to look as if they came from the crocodiles. Leonardo had to research their preferred methods of making the darts and materials that would be available to them and their supporters. \n\nBlow darts were a tool used by the toads, a long time supporter of the crocodiles who had chosen to be exiled with them over surrender. They would harvest venom from small frogs and weaponize it. It was no surprise that Splinter had a supply. \n\nLoading the dart into the pipe, Leonardo got himself ready for what he was about to do. He had to remind himself that he was helping her by sparing her suffering and saving her soul. He had never killed anyone before. It felt odd that his first was one of mercy. \n\nNerves were getting the better of him. If he was caught, he would be taking her place, but he was determined to do it. \n\nOne last deep breath before raising the pipe to his lips. One quick burst of air sent the dart to its target, imbedding it in her thigh. \n\nLacey reacted to the sudden pain with a start but made no sound. She sat up and started to reach for the dart in her leg. \n\nLeonardo didn’t wait around to watch the venom take effect. He knew it wouldn’t take long. After making sure he would not be seen, Leonardo quickly climbed down from the tree and made his way back into the castle. \n\nHe hid the pipe along the rafters in the tunnels and then, after making sure his clothes were tidy, made his way to a gathering of nobles in the gardens, blending in as if he had been there for a while. \n\nHours passed before the nobles started whispering. Then the news spread like wildfire. “The salve has finally taken its own life,” one of them said in a hushed tone, to the small group containing Leonardo. “I hope the priestesses are able to keep it from haunting the castle.”\n\nCurious, Leonardo slipped away from the party and into the hidden passageways. He was sure the venom he had used would work fast. She wouldn’t have killed herself if she knew she was already dying, would she?\n\nHe heard the low murmur of voices as he neared the area where the priestesses would tend to the body before disposing of it. They had to make sure that Lacey wouldn’t return as a vengeful spirit since suicide would prevent her from entering paradise. \n\n“There’s no reason for anyone to know the truth,” a man said in desperation. \n\n“We’re dead if the king finds out,” another man added. “Please….”\n\n“But the crocodiles…,” a woman’s voice said. \n\n“The military is already looking for the crocodiles and their supporters,” the first man interrupted. “They are already aware of their presence here. This information would change nothing.”\n\nLeonardo looked through a small peephole to see two guards talking to the High Priestess Karai. The body of Lacey lay on a nearby table, ready for the ceremony.\n\n“Saki would know that there is an assassin in the area who is capable of getting by the two of you,” Karai argued. “If someone with that much skill is in the kingdom, none of us are safe.”\n\nLeonardo chastised himself. In his determination to spare Lacey anymore suffering, he potentially sentenced the two guards watching her to death. He had hoped they would believe she had died in her sleep.\n\n“We already know that they have assassins who use this method,” the second guard argued. \n\n“Then why weren’t you watching for one,” Karai asked. \n\nThe two guards looked at each other and then the first one answered. “We never imagined that one would come to kill the slave. We were only watching for other slaves or peasants, sympathetic to her, to come and spare her the curse of a suicide. People like that don’t tend to have any skills at all.”\n\nKarai thought for a moment as the two men waited with bated breath. \n\nBefore she could speak, Saki stepped out from around a corner. “If word that the crocodiles risked an assassin to spare a slave eternal damnation got out…, it could draw more people to their side…. Maybe it would be best, this not get out. You will be spared but you better not slip up again.”\n\nVisibly shaken the guards struggled to find their voice. “Thank you,” they managed to say in unison, bowing deeply. \n\nLeonardo was able to breathe a sigh of relief. \n","writing_bbcode_parsed":"To say that he was frightened would have been a massive understatement. Donatello knew that the emperor was not a forgiving man. Giving up a small prayer to the gods, he limped his way to the kitchens and hoped everyone would believe his act. It wasn’t entirely an act. He was still recovering.
The already sweltering kitchen was packed full of cooks and slaves who had accompanied Raphael’s uncles and grandfather. Every one of them were running around, making sure that the meal met their respective masters’ preferences.
Donatello kept his head down, doing his best to avoid the visiting slaves while, at the same time, listening in to their conversations. Any information he can glean from them might prove to be valuable to Raphael.
Of course, they were all trained to do the same, so Donatello watched what he said around his fellow slaves.
In accordance to the new rules, Donatello was followed out of the kitchen by a few small children. They had all proven themselves to be well behaved and didn’t mind tasting the wonderful foods that were meant for the royal family.
To them, it was a treat. Their innocent minds didn’t fully understand why they were chosen to eat from the plates of the royals. All they knew was, if they behaved, they got to eat better than they ever had before.
The emperor sat at the head of the table with his wife, mates and children sitting to his left and Raphael’s uncles and cousins sitting to his right. There were several other turtles who were obviously related to the emperor sitting with them, though Donatello could not tell where they sat on the twisted family tree.
Donatello did his best to keep himself focused on the familiar task of serving Raphael, Michelangelo, and Leonardo. As long as he didn’t let himself think about the emperor, he would be alright. The last thing he wanted was to draw attention to himself.
“I had a meeting with Oroku Saki today,” Benvolio said as he cut his steak. “I am impressed with the amount of information you have been able to gather in such a short time.”
“The threat was against the empire as a whole,” Raphael replied. “I had to act quickly.”
One of Raphael’s uncles scoffed. “Why would the humans side with the crocodiles? Foolish creatures.”
“They are short lived,” Benvolio stated. “Even their eldest were not yet born during the time the crocodiles ruled, so they don’t remember their cruelty. The kingdoms are doing far better now. This very kingdom was plagued by demons when the crocodiles ruled the empire. They never tried to cleans it. It was a turtle who cleared this land and built the kingdom.”
“Now it is one of the richest kingdoms,” another Raphael’s uncles added then gave Raphael a piercing sideways glance. “Far too important to the empire to be left in the hands of an inexperienced child.”
“It took my father nearly a decade to figure out how to properly run this kingdom. I have learned a lot from him,” Raphael argued. “An outsider would take years to learn what I already know and to build the trust of the nobles. This kingdom would once again suffer a loss during that time.”
“Enough,” Benvolio said. “Your bickering won’t sway my decision one way or another.”
“It took centuries for the kingdom to become rich enough for the crocodiles to take notice,” Michelangelo stated. “Generations had passed before they tried to take it.”
“You know your history,” Benvolio said with a smile. “I was born here. My grandfather was the head of one of many large turtle clans that had settled after the land was safe. They came to escape the crocodiles. They were content here for a long time. When the crocodiles tried to take it for their own, the clans came together and fought them.
“They didn’t stop at simply protecting this kingdom.” Benvolio shook his head. “After seeing the horrors the people suffered, under crocodile rule, they decided to liberate the empire. My grandfather was the one who overthrew the crocodile emperor. He had every right to claim the empire for himself.
“But he was foolish,” Benvolio sneered. “When the other clan leaders demanded they be rewarded for their contributions to the revolution, my grandfather caved in and split the empire in to several kingdoms. A kingdom for each clan. It took me nearly a century to right that wrong.”
“And you succeeded where the crocodiles failed,” Michelangelo said. “You added this kingdom to the empire.”
“As it should be,” Benvolio replied.
Michelangelo nodded. “The crocodiles would have lost this kingdom if they had managed to take it.”
One of their cousins side eyed Michelangelo. “How so?”
“Someone with the blood of the first king needs to be in the kingdom in order for the demons to stay away,” Michelangelo stated. “I doubt the crocodiles would have kept the king’s descendants alive.”
The cousin looked at his father. “Does that mean we would have to keep the broken slave?”
His father snorted. “It’s just stories. The slave is not needed.”
“Not worth the risk,” Benvolio said. “Arigio believed the stories.” He considered Donatello for a moment while he chewed. “You should see if one of the farmers would be willing to have their daughter mate with your slave. Offer the family some silver for their troubles. A small handful will be more than they would see in a lifetime. If you are lucky you can get a boy and a girl out of her and then breed them when they come of age. That way you keep the bloodline here as slaves.”
“That is a good idea, grandfather,” Raphael agreed, though Donatello could tell that the idea disgusted the prince. “It would be even better if the first egg hatched a girl. Then Donatello could breed again with its daughter when it came of age.”
Benvolio’s face lit up in approval. “If the gods are good. A daughter on the first try is very rare.”
Donatello’s stomach churned.
After the meal, Raphael spent several more hours with his grandfather, touring the castle and the grounds. Fortunately, Donatello was given leave to clean and tend to other tasks. He was grateful that he didn’t have to follow the emperor around.
It should have been relatively stress free. However, it was not. Donatello noticed that the other slaves seemed to be keeping their distance or giving him the cold shoulder. When they talked, they kept their conversation short and simple.
Though he felt that he already knew the answer, Donatello asked, “Why are you guys so mad at me?” He was sure they were still angry at him over turning Lacey in.
“The fact that you pissed yourself and passed out in front of the emperor and you’re standing here. If any of us had done that, we’d be dead,” one of them said.
At Donatello’s surprised expression, another slave scoffed. “And the fact that you’re too stupid to realize the kind of power you could have over the prince.”
“I am just a slave,” Donatello argued. “I hold no power at all over the prince.”
“We all know how much he wants you but that you continue to reject him,” another said. “He’d have to love you to put up with that. You can use that to your advantage. It doesn’t matter how you really feel. Make him believe you’re in love with him and fuck him whenever he wants it. Then you can subtly suggest ways to make life better for all of us while he’s in a good mood.”
“The emperor hasn’t made his decision yet,” Donatello pointed out. “We don’t know who our king will be or where we’ll all end up.”
“I suppose you are right,” the first slave replied as he walked away. “But, think about the position you will be in if he does become king. You would be the head of all the slaves in the castle.”
“And, think about this,” the second slave said. “How long do you think it will be before he grows tired of waiting and what do you think will happen to you once he does?”
Donatello stood in stunned silence as the other slaves left. He had no idea that his relationship with Raphael was so well know but at the same time, he was not surprised. Slaves were observant and were often ignored. Even Donatello had a tendency to forget they were there from time to time.
What they had said to him struck a chord. He had no desire to try to sway Raphael in any way but the thought of Raphael growing tired of Donatello rejecting him, had him worried. What would happen to him when the prince lost interest?
The thought continued to plague him as he made his way back to Raphael’s room. When he entered, he found Raphael standing by the window, looking out.
“I hope I haven’t kept you waiting,” Donatello said, bowing deeply.
“I haven’t been here long,” Raphael replied. He looked and sounded drained. Stepping away from the window, he allowed Donatello to undress him. “I don’t know how much longer I can take all of this.”
“I know it’s stressful,” Donatello said, doing his best to sound sympathetic. “It’s the not knowing that’s the hardest part. Hopefully his excellence will make his decision soon.”
Once undressed, Raphael picked up the loose slacks he usually slept in but Donatello stopped him before he had the chance to put them on. “How about a nice massage to help ease some tension,” Donatello offered. “It will help you sleep better.”
“I would like that,” Raphael admitted with a sigh. “I doubt it will help me sleep. Not unless you have a way to rid me of my nightmares.”
“I wish I knew how.” Donatello directed Raphael to the bed and then collected some sweet scented oils from across the room. By the time he returned with his selection, Raphael was lying face down on the bed.
Starting with Raphael’s shoulders, Donatello kneaded the tight muscles with some lavender scented oil. A lump formed in his throat as he debated on what he should do. His conversation with the other slaves still weighed heavily on his mind. How far was he willing to go and was it really worth it? Though he hated to admit it, part of him didn’t want to leave Raphael. Maybe he could fake it if it meant staying where he was.
Making up his mind, Donatello switched to Raphael’s legs. He started with the calves and slowly worked his way up. As he got closer to Raphael’s butt, the prince lifted his head a little to look back at Donatello. It was hard to read him but there was no sign of protest.
Donatello dipped his fingers down along Raphael’s inner thigh and then turned his hand to slide them along the underside of Raphael’s tail. This elicited a gasp from the prince. Carefully, Raphael shifted then turned over on his back to look directly at Donatello.
His golden eyes watched Donatello. His expression was one of curiosity, desire, uncertainty, and a little bit of fear.
Resting his hand on Raphael’s lower plastron, Donatello leaned down for a soft kiss.
Raphael returned the kiss with gusto and parted his legs.
Without breaking the kiss, Donatello reached down to circle his still slick finger around Raphael’s tight hole. Raphael churred, bucking his hips causing his growing erection to brush against Donatello’s arm.
Taking that as a sign to continue, Donatello pressed his finger against the muscles and they relented. With steady strokes he pushed his finger in deeper until he reached Raphael’s prostate. Then he moved the tip of his finger in slow circles, applying gentle pressure.
He original plan was to simply finger Raphael until he climaxed but Raphael started to tug at Donatello’s clothes. His own erection growing uncomfortable, Donatello was more than obliged to take them off. He removed his finger from Raphael long enough to strip, still managing to maintain the kiss.
He could hardly believe how much he wanted it and Raphael’s needy moans only added to his desire. Though it was not his intention, it was like a flood gate had been opened. The need to be inside him was overwhelming.
Finally breaking the kiss, Donatello coated his shaft with oil and joined Raphael on the bed, settling between the prince’s legs. There was no doubt that Raphael wanted it just as badly. His eyes were locked on Donatello’s cock as he anticipated being penetrated.
There was little resistance as Donatello pushed inside. The soft warmth surrounded his cock, eliciting a deep churr, enticing him to go deeper and drowning out all sense. He gave into his primal desire and began to thrust, not holding back in the slightest.
Grabbing Donatello’s biceps, Raphael held tight. His head rolled back against the pillow as he let out a deep moan. The sudden tightness that accompanied Raphael’s orgasm was more than Donatello could bear. With a grunt, he finished, pushing in as deep as he could go.
When it was done, he opened his eyes to look down at Raphael. As soft smile spread across the prince’s lips as he let out a content sigh. For the first time, in a long time, his eyes sparkled.
“Feel better,” Donatello whispered, causing Raphael’s smile to widen.
“Yeah,” he replied with a nod. “I feel like a weight has been removed from my soul.”
Sitting back on his feet, Donatello took in the sight of Raphael. “I’ll help you get clean.”
He started to get off the bed but Raphael stopped him. “It’s alright. Lie down with me.”
“If you’re sure….” Donatello settled down next to Raphael with his head resting on the prince’s shoulder and was asleep as soon as he shut his eyes.
…..
The emperor and his uncles followed Raphael as he did his duties running the kingdom. They sat silently while Raphael dealt with the court and then the council. The emperor wanted to see if Raphael could handle the kingdom and his uncles were waiting for any slight error.
What was surprising was that Raphael didn’t seem to mind at all. He went about his daily duties in good spirits. He looked well rested. The dark circles under his eyes were gone and there was a lightness to his step. Leonardo even saw him smiling. Genuinely smiling. And for the first time, Leonardo saw just how beautiful he really was.
It was like a dark cloud that had been hanging over him had been blown away. But, as far as Leonardo could tell, nothing had changed. Their situation was still unknown.
“You will be king,” Benvolio said unceremoniously to Raphael after three days, as they were served their supper. “We will have to coronation ceremony tomorrow and then you will marry Venus, three days later.” He indicated the young, quiet girl who had been sitting next to his wife at every meal.
The girl looked to be no older than thirteen. Her eyes stayed fixed on the food in front of her. “She’s a bastard,” the emperor stated. “Born to one of my wife’s handmaidens but Venus is of my blood and will be able to keep the bloodline pure enough.”
“Thank you, grandfather,” Raphael replied. “I am deeply honored.”
Though Raphael was thanking his grandfather, Leonardo could tell that he was anything but grateful. He hid it well but Leonardo was trained in how to read people. He could see the hidden pain and disgust.
Being king wasn’t something that he wanted but it was better than the alternative.
Leonardo looked at Venus. She didn’t look any more pleased with the arrangement than Raphael. She almost looked like she was going to be ill. At least she was pretty and held no signs of inbreeding. Must take after her mother, because she looked nothing like Benvolio.
Looking across the table, Leonardo’s eyes fell on Raphael’s uncles. They all looked livid. Whatever hopes they had of taking this kingdom for themselves or for one of their sons was gone. If Raphael was right about the nature of his family, he had made a few enemies today. Ones who will most likely invade the moment Benvolio dies. Next to being the next emperor, this kingdom was the most desired.
The coronation was held the next day, in front of the highest-ranking nobles who were able to attend. There were some who were away tending to their estates. They will not be pleased that they had missed such an important occasion. At least the majority who were there looked pleased that Raphael was going to be their king.
Leonardo wasn’t sure if this was a good thing or not. He still didn’t know these people all that well yet and he couldn’t tell if they were pleased Raphael was their king because they believed in him or if it was because they thought they would be able to take advantage of the fact he was young and inexperienced.
Benvolio himself placed the crown on Raphael’s head and then declared that, until Raphael sires children, Michelangelo would be schooled to be his heir. This was a relief. At least for a while, Michelangelo was safe.
The assembled nobles applauded in a modest manner that was appropriate for court. Each family came up one at a time to congratulate Raphael and to pledge their loyalty to him.
After the coronation, Raphael stepped out onto a balcony to present himself to the people waiting below. They cheered for their new king. However, looking out among them, some of their cheers were empty. They cheered because they felt they had to, not because they loved him. There was a reason the crocodiles were able to find supporters.
The days leading up to the wedding where hectic. A royal wedding could not be a simple affair. No. It was to be a grand event. Slaves worked tirelessly to make all the preparations. Not just the palace slaves, but the slaves belonging to the nobles were also being run ragged. New gowns had to be sewn, gifts had to be acquired. The wedding would be a chance for the nobles to make alliances and try to gain favor from the new king and his young queen.
Many of the lower nobles will present their young daughters to Venus in hopes they will be selected to be part of the young queen’s inner circle. To be in the queen’s inner circle would mean a better chance of a good marriage. Even the nobles out in the countryside were racing to get to the palace on time.
Taking advantage of the chaos, Leonardo slipped away. With everyone busy preparing for the wedding, no one paid attention to him.
Beyond the gates, he climbed a large, sturdy oak with dense foliage. The thick branches continued for several feet and he managed to climb quite high before he questioned whether or not one would be able to support him.
Looking around, he made sure no one had spotted him.
He was high enough that he could look out and see Lacey. The poor woman was still alive. She was clutching the knife in her hand, so he knew that she was at least contemplating ending it. Part of Leonardo was grateful she had lasted this long. He hated that she was suffering.
There wasn’t much he could do for her but there was one thing. He could spare her any more suffering.
It had taken him longer than he would have liked to gather the tools he needed. The poison and the dart needed to look as if they came from the crocodiles. Leonardo had to research their preferred methods of making the darts and materials that would be available to them and their supporters.
Blow darts were a tool used by the toads, a long time supporter of the crocodiles who had chosen to be exiled with them over surrender. They would harvest venom from small frogs and weaponize it. It was no surprise that Splinter had a supply.
Loading the dart into the pipe, Leonardo got himself ready for what he was about to do. He had to remind himself that he was helping her by sparing her suffering and saving her soul. He had never killed anyone before. It felt odd that his first was one of mercy.
Nerves were getting the better of him. If he was caught, he would be taking her place, but he was determined to do it.
One last deep breath before raising the pipe to his lips. One quick burst of air sent the dart to its target, imbedding it in her thigh.
Lacey reacted to the sudden pain with a start but made no sound. She sat up and started to reach for the dart in her leg.
Leonardo didn’t wait around to watch the venom take effect. He knew it wouldn’t take long. After making sure he would not be seen, Leonardo quickly climbed down from the tree and made his way back into the castle.
He hid the pipe along the rafters in the tunnels and then, after making sure his clothes were tidy, made his way to a gathering of nobles in the gardens, blending in as if he had been there for a while.
Hours passed before the nobles started whispering. Then the news spread like wildfire. “The salve has finally taken its own life,” one of them said in a hushed tone, to the small group containing Leonardo. “I hope the priestesses are able to keep it from haunting the castle.”
Curious, Leonardo slipped away from the party and into the hidden passageways. He was sure the venom he had used would work fast. She wouldn’t have killed herself if she knew she was already dying, would she?
He heard the low murmur of voices as he neared the area where the priestesses would tend to the body before disposing of it. They had to make sure that Lacey wouldn’t return as a vengeful spirit since suicide would prevent her from entering paradise.
“There’s no reason for anyone to know the truth,” a man said in desperation.
“We’re dead if the king finds out,” another man added. “Please….”
“But the crocodiles…,” a woman’s voice said.
“The military is already looking for the crocodiles and their supporters,” the first man interrupted. “They are already aware of their presence here. This information would change nothing.”
Leonardo looked through a small peephole to see two guards talking to the High Priestess Karai. The body of Lacey lay on a nearby table, ready for the ceremony.
“Saki would know that there is an assassin in the area who is capable of getting by the two of you,” Karai argued. “If someone with that much skill is in the kingdom, none of us are safe.”
Leonardo chastised himself. In his determination to spare Lacey anymore suffering, he potentially sentenced the two guards watching her to death. He had hoped they would believe she had died in her sleep.
“We already know that they have assassins who use this method,” the second guard argued.
“Then why weren’t you watching for one,” Karai asked.
The two guards looked at each other and then the first one answered. “We never imagined that one would come to kill the slave. We were only watching for other slaves or peasants, sympathetic to her, to come and spare her the curse of a suicide. People like that don’t tend to have any skills at all.”
Karai thought for a moment as the two men waited with bated breath.
Before she could speak, Saki stepped out from around a corner. “If word that the crocodiles risked an assassin to spare a slave eternal damnation got out…, it could draw more people to their side…. Maybe it would be best, this not get out. You will be spared but you better not slip up again.”
Visibly shaken the guards struggled to find their voice. “Thank you,” they managed to say in unison, bowing deeply.
Leonardo was able to breathe a sigh of relief.
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