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Rory Clayton fought the urge to reach up and adjust his collar. The Percheron stallion feeling that flutter of nerves as he nodded, only just able to understand the rumbling language of the Leonines. His father snorted a laugh and responded just as smoothly to the Sultan, drawing a quick grin and hearty laugh from the well dressed male. He'd been studying their language for years, but hearing it from scholars and tutors were one thing, it was another entirely to hear it spoken so smoothly and with such ease. Ears twitched as they picked up every few words, only able to follow the conversation by the barest skin of his teeth.

His father, Lord Ambassador Edward Clayton, shot him a sidelong glance and allowed the barest hint of a frown to crease his features. The older stallion squared his shoulders slightly and fixed a wide smile, "Ah, I think we might be going a bit fast, perhaps we could swap to English for a time?" Expression softened, "Despite what you might think, your English is very good."

Sultan Rikh breathed out a chuff, "You are too kind, Edward." The lion fixed Rory with a sideways grin of his own, "Your father is always complimenting and trying to me in hopes he will secure a better bargaining system." Each word coming out smoothly, with only the barest hesitation here and there.

A smile was offered to the lion, "Ah but your English is far better than my Leonine, Your Grace." Rory offered a slight bow as he complimented the Sultan. He caught the barest of nods from his father. Eyes stern and distant despite the smile that was on his face. Took every bit of tutoring he'd endured not to wilt under that look he was given.

The last eighteen years of his life had been back home in the Empire with his mother. An endless trek of schooling, tutors, going to church, and the disapproval of his father. When the Lord Ambassador was around, that is. He'd opened trade with the Sultanate some thirty years before and quickly found himself a made man. When he was around, it seemed as if Edward was in a constant state of disapproval. His marks in school weren't high enough, tutors couldn't sing his praise loud enough, and how dare he nod off in church. The Lord demanded perfection when he was around and seemed to have ears everywhere.

Father and he had never spent much time together. The elder Clayton either busy with meetings for days on end, or away at the Sultanate for months at a time. Despite his approaching fifties, the Ambassador was a picture of health. Powerful body, honed to earn him a primal respect among these people, more than a little intimidating. He was the very picture of an ideal Empire Lord. Pious, educated, powerful, wealthy, and impossible to read what he was thinking.

Rory found himself glancing out a window into a small oasis. A pocket of green protected from the harsh desert by thick stone walls. Thin, gauzy cloth providing a bit of shade and a bubbling fountain cooling the garden. Several people were lounging casually on blankets, laughing and eating snacks as one strummed idly on a stringed instrument.

Mother had always spoken of the Sultanate with mild distaste in her voice. Not hatred, but something of the same flavor. For the life of him, Rory could not fully figure out why either. He'd seen similar sights back home at the Empire. Students reclining under a tree to talk classes or religion. Though never mixed genders, never without at least one adult to chaperon. And he'd never seen a female lounge so casually beside a male, with her cheek resting in his lap of all places.

Oh... that was no idle rest.

Ears flushed hotly as Rory tore himself away from the window and what was happening out there. Drifting back towards his father and the Sultan. He took in the lion with a quick glance. Voluminous robes hide his build, but the white lion's rich laugh and heavy-handed back slaps spoke of a male still in his prime. Seemed that, much like his father, Sultan Rikh was aging gracefully. He was a stark contrast to the equine though. Openly laughing, joking, body at ease as they ran through the gambit of topics. Why when he first saw Rory, he'd greeted the younger Clayton with a crushing hug. The lion's arms felt like corded iron as they threatened to squeeze the life from him. It was invigorating, if frightening.

Ears perked as Rory approached, the Sultan casting a quick glance over the younger stallion again. Rory paused a few steps away, ears laying back into his well groomed mane. "Ah, seems your son joins us again." The Sultan steps forward and brought his hand down on Rory's shoulder with a heavy clap. Knees threatening to buckle as the hand squeezed, "I apologize, this talk of weather and trade must be boring for such a healthy, young stallion as yourself."

Rory put on his best diplomatic face, "Ah no, Sir." His voice dripping with respect at his elder, "I was just admiring your wonderful palace and the garden."

The hand stayed on his shoulder, fingers squeezing slightly as the lion rumbled out a noise. "It is a very wonderful palace. Much better now that we've been able to focus our attention on places other than conquering and expansion." He cast a quick glance towards Edward, his father's lips turning down ever so slightly in a frown. A squeeze snapped his attention back to the Sultan. "Naji!" his voice boomed past the stallion's ears, "Take our young friend on a tour, if you please?" Hooves skidded on marble as Rory was spun around until he faced a leaner jaguar. "He can list to us old men talk of glory and gains any day, but only gets to see the palace with new eyes once."

A gentle shove scooted him towards the Vizier Naji. The jaguar angling his head slightly with a quiet grumble, "This way, Young Sir." Rory could feel his father's gaze bearing down on him, but he couldn't turn back now. Squaring his shoulders, he started after the Vizier with a confident gait.

Naji's voice was clear as he spoke, "We have made a number of improvements since the last Sultan's rule, may he rest in eternal peace." The jaguar's staff tapping on the tile as he led the way. "The Empire has lavished a great number of treasures and artwork upon us," He waved towards a massive painting of Sultan Rikh, surrounded by women, "as you can tell." His words were smooth, each one rolling smoothly without much trace of accent. "Tell me, Young Clayton, how is your Leonine?" Easily swapping between the two languages.

Rory's tongue pressed against teeth as he tried his best to mimic the Vizier's flowing dialect, "I have been studying it for several years. Father hired a tutor for the express purpose of teaching me, should I decide to take up his position as Ambassador when he retires."

Ears perked up and that smooth voice purred, "You are very good, Young Sir. Your tone is a bit too precise and proper, but I can't imagine there were many tutors from the Sultanate available." He chuffed a quiet laugh, "The Empire Scholars spend far too much time buried in their books for our tastes. They like to have a very precise way of doing things," he added quickly, "not that it's wrong in any way. Just a little too rigid for our liking. Which is one reason your father gets along so well here."

His father the relaxed one? There were times where he would swear that someone had replaced his father's spine with a steel rod, he was that upright. There were always rumors circulating about the Empire about one person or another. Who wasn't pious enough, who was being immoral with whom, countless little rumors. The most he'd ever heard of his father was murmurings of how much time the stallion spent among the predators of the Sultanate. However, there weren't a great many because the Empire was still free. Which, any rumors he did hear, were quickly squashed because of that. His teachers often singing Father's praises to the heavens because of how difficult 'those predators' were to work with.

"I am only learning still. It was hard to keep up when my father and the Sultan were talking to each other earlier. Father says I still have much to learn."

Naji sniffed quietly, "Should have heard him when he was first here. Swear that sometimes only Sultan Rikh could understand him. No, you are far better than you believe yourself to be." The hint of a smile cracked the Vizier's expression before vanishing. "Time and practice will bolster any weakness you have now. By the time you leave, I guarantee you'll have a better understanding of our language and culture."

The jaguar slowed for a moment. "Speaking of time, I'm afraid that I will have to cut my time with you short. My most sincere apologies. The Sultan tends to lose track of what is happening and when it should happen when your father shows up. They do enjoy catching up and will be doing so for most of the evening."

Rory's ears twitched back slightly, "It is not a problem, Sir. I think I know my way back to the apartments from here."

Vizier Naji stopped him with a touch, "I said I was running short on time, however that does not make me a bad host." He waved his staff towards a doorway, "I was merely going to pass you along to someone who would be more than happy to spend time with the son of Ambassador Clayton." There was that smile again, but this time with a spark of something in the older jaguar's eyes, "And I assure you, it will be their pleasure to spend time with you."

He relaxed, smile returning. It'd be nice to talk with someone who he wasn't terrified of offending or upsetting. No telling where the Vizier had lead him, but maybe it was the servant quarters? Back home when a lord or lady did this, it was either to leave him with their own children, or pass him off to some house boy that could 'keep him out of trouble' while showing him the local sights. "I'd love that, thank you."

The jaguar nodded as he strode around the doorway and stopped, "Then you may take your pick of whom you wish to have as your personal attendant. Sultan Rikh had wanted you to pick one for your stay here. A gift from him to the son of his favorite Ambassador." Personal attendant? What did he mean by... Rory froze halfway into the door, eyes going wide as he stared into the room.

Right there before him was a bevy of bathing beauties. While not entirely accurate, there was a rather large pool of water in the room and while some were bathing, most were lounging about the room in chairs and cushions. Lions, jaguars, leopards, gazelle, zebra, even an elephant. All of them women. All of them gorgeous. Several of them in various stages of pregnancy. And all of them completely and utterly naked, saved for some thin veil-like clothing that hid nothing.

Every single one of them was looking right at him with this hungry look in their eyes. A white lioness stood and purred musically, "Naji, we weren't expecting to see you today. Not with all those nasty meetings you have this time of the year." She crossed the room with a smooth gait. Every motion like a dance, having a grace Rory never thought he'd see. The lioness practically flowing across the room before draping her arms over the Vizier's shoulders. She leaned in close enough so their lips were practically touching, "Nor were we expecting you to bring such a..." her head rolled to look over Rory with stunning green eyes, "tasty looking treat for us." Her smile was entirely playful, but that glimmer in her eyes made the stallion both stared and strangely excited at the same time.

Naji allowed his hand to rest on the lioness' hip, their bodies swaying slowly as if they were dancing with the music one of the harem ladies was playing. "Arasha, this is Rory Clayton, Lord Edward Clayton's son."

Her eyes lit up and the lioness pulled herself away from Naji. Every muscle in Rory's body tensed as she approached him. It was hard enough to not stare at the women in the harem with their naturalness on full display, and her getting close was only making it harder.

Arms were draped against his shoulder, the lioness having to almost lean against the taller stallion to do it comfortably. "I remember you," her voice dropped until it was little more than a rumble. "I helped take care of you when you last visited, little more than a baby and I was still in the nursery." The mere mention of nursing made his eyes leap from hers down lower. She smiled and arched against him, rubbing her breasts against his body, "You've gotten big."

Rory would have jumped backwards if only his body would listen to his brain. Right now, every drop of blood in his body was rushing to his other head, making him surge within his slacks as her body rolled against his. That smile of hers only widened as her leg shifted and rubbed over the swell buried therein. She leaned in until her lips brushed his as she asked, "So, you have your choice of companions. Any servant here. Who do you want to be with?"

"Him!"

All eyes turned to look at the cheetah that had just entered the harem from another door. The lithe male freezing mid-step and bristling as he suddenly became the center of attention. Arasha pulled away just enough to give Rory some room to breath. The stallion on the very edge of embarrassing himself in front of the entire harem. Though maybe in trying to avoid one embarrassment, he might have stumbled into another entirely.

A titter or laughter rolled through the harem, silenced by a look from the lioness. "Why Rory," her voice rolling the R's in his name, "I didn't figure you for the type to enjoy the company of another male. Talir, come here would you?"

The cheetah's ears shot up, "What?" His tail puffing up as he looked around the room. "Me, Arasha?" When she nodded and crooked a finger towards him, the cheetah hurried over. "My apologies," he bowed his head quickly, "I did not mean to interrupt anything. I had heard Vizier Naji was here so I came to deliver a message." As an afterthought, he pulled out a note and handed it over.

Arasha placed a hand on Talir's shoulder, her other one still resting on Rory's, as she looked over him. The cheetah wore a simple pair of loose pants and a vest, his toned chest bare for all to see. "Talir, how many dinar do you earn a day as a messenger?"

His ears folded back slowly, "Three a day, plus any tips offered, Lady."

She nodded slowly, "And you have this job because you prefer the company of men?" Another quick nod, her lips splitting into a wide grin. "Wonderful!" Stepping back, she let her hands sweep to the small of either males' back. A push nudging them closer. "Talir, meet Rory Clayton. Rory Clayton, this is Talir. He will be your personal attendant until you decide otherwise. And I believe we could do better than three a day. Is ten fine, Naji?"

The jaguar nodded, "It can easily be arranged, Arasha."

"Good," she chuffed, looking rather pleased with herself. "And I am glad to see that you are open to indulging yourself a little, Rory." The hand swept over his rear, giving a sharp pinch that made the stallion jump, "So many of the Empire visitors we have refuse."

And then she was gone, strolling over to join a loose knot of other women. Picking up an instrument before plucking out a little tune, peering at Rory from behind the veil of her flowing, silver hair. Naji nodded and excused himself, leaving just Rory and Talir in the doorway. The cheetah puffing quietly, "Um..." he scuffed sandals against the floor, "How might I be of service, Sir?"

Rory snored, "I could use some cool water." Talir started to turn towards the pool, "Not here," he blurted out, almost too quickly. "I mean... I wouldn't want to bother the ladies any further." He tried not to stare at the harem as he bowed slightly. A flutter of titters rising from the nearby women.

Talir nodded, "Of course of course, this way sir."

"Please, call me Rory," he muttered, having to limp a little as he followed the cheetah through a few halls and through many doors before out into a garden. No sooner did he see the flowing fountain than he hurried up to it. Splashing water on his face to try and cool back down.

Talir moved over before sitting on the edge of the fountain. "Might I ask why si... you picked me? Out of all the women offered to you, you picked me? I'm just a humble messenger." He spoke slower as if mindful of Rory's lack of talent with the feline's native tongue. Ears folded back, "N-not that I am complaining. Indeed, I and very flattered, but confused." He looked over the stallion as Rory kept trying to get the image of all those luscious, bared women out of his mind. "Do you not like women?" A hand fell to his chest, "Not that there is wrong in that, no. I prefer the company of men myself."

Wasn't that just wonderful? Rory hoped that the feline was just trying to make him feel better, but there was the distinct idea that he was being utterly honest.

How in the worlds was he going to explain that he had just picked the cheetah because he was the only thing there without breasts. Heavens above, back home Rory rarely even saw a woman's ankles, much less their entire body in all its naked glory.

"Ah, there you are," Naji's voice cut through the garden. "You'd left so quick I feared you fell ill, young sir." Piercing eyes glanced from the damp Rory to Talir and back, "Enjoying our gardens?" he smiled, "I tend to forget that not all are accustomed to the heat of our home." The jaguar moved in until his hand could rest on the cheetah's shoulder, "I fear I need to borrow your companion for a moment." A comforting hand came down on the stallion's shoulder, "Perhaps you would like to retire to the ambassador's apartments for a time? Can be rather tiring to find oneself in such a strange place."

If he didn't think it would've been extremely impolite, Rory would've heaved a sigh of relief. Instead shoulders squared slowly and he offered a courtly bow, "I think perhaps that is a wise choice, Sir. I have been feeling a bit flushed." He gave a quick bow, "If you'll excuse me." When the Vizier nodded, it took every scrap of willpower not to take off at a full gallop.

---

Rory had made it back to the apartments without embarrassing himself. The stallion quickly making his way through the rooms and into his bedrooms. Door shutting behind him with a resounding thud as he heaved a mighty sigh. Entire frame shuddering from everything as he leaned against the solid wood door. Closing his eyes, he tried to calm himself back down.

Which is surprisingly hard to do when the mere act of closing ones eyes invited images of the harem flashing through his mind. A groan broke free of the stallion as need surged through his body again, making his manhood strain against his pants.

Had to distract himself. Math helped before.

Bumping his head off the door, he began to run through math formula. That had always helped cool his temperament whenever a lovely miss from school would flirt.

Not this time. Each time he dared so much as blink, the harem ladies were waiting on him. Arasha's warmth pressed to his side. If he dared leave his eyes closed for more than an instant, he'd swear he could feel her warmth press against him. Hand roaming over his chest and across his stomach. Claws just barely unsheathing as they traced over his need.

He jumped, eyes wide and nostrils flaring with a snort. Nostrils filling with the lioness' scent. It took a moment to dawn on him that her scent was all over his clothes. He'd need to scrub down and change his clothes to even think of getting away from it.

Yes, that would work. Just had to get out of his clothes and then he could calm himself down before his father got back to the apartments. Hands leapt to his belt and began to fumble it open. Stallion huffing under his breath as he tried to undress and get away from that devilish scent. Breathing heavily like that wasn't the best of ideas. Not as her scent kept wafting up at him.

Belt came down after a great amount of fumbling. Cock leaping from his pants the instant they loosened. Heavy length pulsing in the air now. Teeth grinding as he held back a throaty groan.

And that's as far as he got. Chest heaving with each breath as he stared blankly at his member. Girthy pole bobbing with each hurried beat of his heart. Any thought of trying to distract himself fading as he stared at the mottled length. Hand easing over to weigh his own orbs. Many were the night he'd taken matters into his own hand when it came to finding relief. It had been weeks since he'd managed to find any himself. Between preparation for the trip and the actual journey, he barely had any time to himself. Always faced with his father's constant drilling and tutoring and disapproving looks.

Between his father and that gloriously beautiful lioness his body was a solid mass of tension.

The hand that had been weighing his testes lifted to grip the base of his shaft. Nostrils flaring now to take in more of that lingering aroma. Eyes narrowing until he could readily imagine that the lioness was beside him. Whispering into his ear as her hand played with him. Grip squeezing before releasing. Fingers sweeping over the tip to gather precum before starting to slide faster.

Rory braced his shoulders against the door and let his head fall back. Both hands falling to his manhood now as he stroked faster. It wasn't the first time he'd ever done this, but rarely had there been such a vision attached to the act.

Planting his shoulders into the door, the stallion began to buck into his hand with deep, chesty groans. Hand flying faster. Precum coating fingers and shaft as he worked. Hips moving without thought now to match the pace that his hand was setting. Chest heaving as he huffed and grunted. Flat teeth grinding as the pleasure built faster than expected.

Mere seconds after he'd started, the stallion's body rocked with the force of his climax. Pent-up sac heaving as thick cum sprayed across hands and the floor. Marking the smooth tile with his seed as his head fell back. Mouth open in a silent gasp as hands kept stroking. The imaginary-Arasha purring something into his ears as he worked out every drop he had and then some. Hands not ceasing their motion until his orbs were aching from the effort of trying to produce more.

The stallion finished with a deep, shuddering pant. Ears folding flat against his skull as seed dribbled to a stop. Rory staring blankly at the mess coating his hands and the floor before him. Balls giving one last twitch as a weak spurt dribbled across his fingers.

"Rory?" a familiar voice called from the main room. Every inch of his body tensing as he heard his father's steps approaching. "Rory, are you here?"

He fumbled, torn between trying to stuff his cock back into his pants and trying to clean up his hands at the same time. "I'm here, Sir," he called over a shoulder. "Was just changing into something lighter and cooling off a bit."

The door handle rattled just before he spoke, "Ah." Hand came off the door, "Well, make yourself decent and come out here when you get a moment."

Easier said than done, he thought to himself as he looked a the mess he'd made across the floor and his own pants. Huffing quietly, he whipped his pants off and used them to clean up. They'd find their way into the dirty clothes where someone would deal with the mess. Ears ticking back as he looked at the seed he'd spilled on the tile. Quickly wiping it up with the soiled breeches as well before hurrying to a basin.

Hands washed, water splashed in his pants, and change of pants later, he was walking into the main sitting room. Lord Edward Clayton looked up from the ledger he'd been reading. "Looking a bit flushed," both ears swiveled forward, "Not feeling ill are you?"

Coming down with something would be just what he needed. Even his body disappointing his father. "No, Sir." He put on his best easy smile, "Mite warmer here than I am used to."

A quiet snort came from his father, "I'd forgotten you're not as accustomed to it as I. You'll adapt before long. I'd suggest finding a covered garden or wearing lighter garments." He looked over what Rory was wearing, "I believe your wardrobe should have something suitable. The Sultan's personal tailors would have seen to getting you something." Before Rory could mention that he'd seen those outfits, but wasn't sure about how to wear them, his father closed his ledger with a clap. "I hear you visited the Harem."

His expression and tone were unreadable. The blank mask of a seasoned diplomat, giving nothing away of the thoughts that lay beneath. Even then Rory did hiss best to read his father. Trying to gauge the Elder Clayton's thoughts on that. As expected, his father was a blank slate and he was only getting the familiar sense of disappointment. How his father was disappointed he wasn't sure yet.

"Yes, Sir." He started with a slight nod. "Vizier Naji took me there." The ledger was sat down and glasses removed from his father's nose. Gaze boring into him. Waiting for whatever answer he had in store. Rory resisted the urge to swallow nervously and scuff his hoof on the floor under that unreadable stare. "There were a lot of beautiful women there. He offered me my choice of," how best to phrase this. His father's expression even and unreadable still. "My choice of people there to be my..." why was this so hard to say, "companion during my stay here. To show me around the palace, the city," probably fuck me as well, "and that sort of..." his ears twitched back, "thing."

His father was an expert diplomat, most of his life had been in the trade. His expression never so much as twitching as his one and only child fumbled through the explanation. The older Percheron didn't even blink. "Yes," he started after seemingly minutes of staring, "I am aware of that sort of... thing." It took all Rory had not to flinch at his father's tone. "So, you were offered your choice of the Sultan's Harem and you..." a hand waved towards him as brows arched ever so slightly.

This was the part he was more afraid of. How was he going to tell his father that not only did he pick someone, but it wasn't even a member of the harem? Much less that it was a guy! He knew the Empire's stance on all these things all too well. "I made a choice while I was there." The brow arched further. "There was a servant, a messenger, that happened to be walking through so I picked him."

Lord Edward Clayton's expression actually changed. "A messenger boy?" There was a moment of confusion and something else as his father stood up and approached. "So you were offered your choice of the Sultan's harem, some of the most beautiful women of the kingdom," hooves rang on tile as his elder approached. "And you choose a servant boy?" Rory nodded wordlessly, Edward's hand swinging up...

And coming down on his shoulder with a short laugh. "I have to say, I've never seen any other person come up wit such a unique solution to that problem." Edward actually smiled as he squeezed his son's shoulder. "I've seen ambassadors my senior who found themselves flustered beyond words."

He squeezed Rory's shoulder lightly and looked beyond the stallion with a, "Ah, speaking of which." Rory turned and saw Talir walking in, hair still damp from a bath and wearing much finer clothes. The lioness Arasha stood behind him, a hand clasped firmly to the cheetah's shoulder. "Good afternoon, Arasha," he offered a bow to her.

"Good afternoon, Claytons." Her voice was as smooth speaking their tongue as it was her own. Head bowing slightly towards them as she smiled, eyes dancing from one stallion to the other. "Might I present the newest member of the Sultan's harem, Talir?" Her hand dropped from the small of the feline's back to his rear, propelling him forward with a gentle push. "Had thought it best that I personally inform him of his duties while he is in," she gave a very pointed smile towards Rory, "service to the young lord." She smirked at Rory, "So long as the Young Lord wishes to retain his services that is."

Edward looked over Talir and offered a slight bow, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Talir." He stepped away and rolled his shoulders with a quiet sigh. The older male stretched, "I still have some papers to work through before I can relax myself."

Rory looked towards Talir nervously as the cheetah shuffled over. Attention grabbed by Arasha as the lioness sauntered over and lay her hands on his father's shoulders. Kneading at his tense muscles, "What you need, Sir Ambassador, is a good massage. You put the weight of the world on your shoulders." She produced another stack of papers that Rory hadn't noticed till now. Handing them over, "There are more as well, Naji hadn't finished with them yet." A groan came from the older Clayton, but he didn't pull away from her touches. "You will read them and I will help relax you." The lioness cast a look over her shoulder towards Rory, "Come sir, let me aid you as is my duty."

His heart leapt in his throat as he watched his father being rubbed by the lioness. Head rolling with a quiet groan, "You're right, you're right." Teeth grinding as she hit a particularly tense spot. "As always you are right, Arasha." His father muttered something as he started towards his private study, lioness trailing behind as she spoke to him in an equally soft tone.

The stallion could only stare after them with wide eyes as the lioness practically guided his father away. While, logically, he knew that his father likely had personal attendants and servants here in the palace, it was another matter entirely to see one. Much less the lioness who had nearly brought him to embarrassment not an hour earlier. Had her rubbing on him been some game to her, or had she been expecting him to respond? Was she and his father... could they...

No. He shook his head slightly. His father was a good, honorable man who was married.

Light hands pressed to his shoulders as Talir uttered in broken Imperial, "You carry the weight of the world on your shoulders, Young Lord."

That made Rory tense instantly, every instinct and teaching urging him to bolt away from the cheetah. Especially as the shorter male practically lay against his back to try and massage him as the lioness had. Touch light and obviously nervous.

Rory took a breath and turned to face Talir, putting on his best diplomatic smile. "Thank you, Talir." It was tempting to fall back into Imperial, but he forced himself to try the cheetah's native tongue. "Tell me, are you hungry?" There was an earnest smile, "I was starting to get a bit peckish and would love to see what places you know about eating. Sound good?" The cheetah thought a moment then brightened with a nod.

Dinner, as it turned out, was served at the palace. With it growing late the guards weren't wanting to let the stallion wander out into the city itself. At least not until morning or with permission, even with Talir to guide. It was still a good meal, though Rory found himself distracted by Talir trying his best to serve the stallion. Cheetah's attention on what the other servants were doing before jumping to whatever he felt was needed. Often ignoring his own meal for some imagined need of Rory's. It took quite a bit of coaxing to get the lean male to actually focus on his own meal.

After dinner there was a show. Some of the Sultan's finest performers putting on something that was a blend of musical performance, dance, and play. Or maybe it was three different performances. It was honestly hard to tell. By the end of it, it was late in the evening, possibly nearing midnight.

All Rory knew was that he was beyond tired by this point as he made his way back to his bed chambers. Talir slipping in behind him unseen as he began to undress. His shirt was midway off when he paused and looked towards the bed, seeing the cheetah lounging on it, legs pulled up against his chest as he watched the stallion. "Ah," ears twitched back, "forgive me if I sound rude, but shouldn't you go home?"

Talir shook his head, "No, Sir Rory. Until you dismiss me, I am your..." face screwed up as he looked for a word, "Yours."

His thoughts raced back to that afternoon and the mention of what the cheetah earned. Ears folding back slowly as his fingers hesitated on his shirt. Talir's voice lifted slowly, "If it would make you feel better, I could sleep on the floor?"

While it would make him feel more comfortable, it would also make him feel worse. Rory cast a sideways glance towards the bed, gauging just how big it was. Easily large enough for a small family to share with room left over. It wouldn't be hard for him to share it with Talir would it? Certainly a better option than to seen the messenger back with only a day's pay, if that, or to make him sleep on the floor.

Rory did his best weary smile, "Bed's big enough for both of us, Talir." He shuffled over to a screen where he could get into his sleep wear. "Wouldn't be an Empire Gentleman if I made my guest sleep on the floor."

"Thank you, Sir. Thank you very much," Talir chittered, "Should I get the lights?"

"Please, just leave one on by the bed." Feet padded on the tile as Talir made a quick round of the room, throwing it into darkness while Rory finished changing. Barely smothering a yawn, he shuffled over to the bed and slipped into covers. Talir already tucked in and watching him. No sooner had the stallion lay down than the cheetah snuffed the final candle. The pair laying in darkness for only a moment before Rory was asleep.

Days passed and Rory was steadily adapting to this strange new country. He'd woken with a start the first couple mornings, finding Talir curled against his side, hand and head resting on the stallion's chest. First morning, he'd nearly thrown the cheetah to the floor he leapt from the bed so fast. Making the embarrassed excuse that he'd had a nightmare. Second morning he'd been slower at easing out from under his bed mate.

By the third morning, he found himself laying there for a time. If only to not wake the cheetah or disturb his own morning arousal.

Talir had curled against him during the night, leaner legs wrapped around Rory's own. Hand casually laying on the stallion's stomach, having somehow worked its way under his nightshirt. Cheek pressed to his chest as quiet noises slipped from the leaner male. With the stallion flat on his back, it meant that the naked feline was dangerously close to pressing against his manhood. The early morning hour and half-remembered dreams having raised his lance for the joust.

Rory let a quiet sigh ease out between his lips as he lay there for a long moment an stare at the ceiling. He'd given up on trying to control his body's reactions after that first day. The exotic lands, especially the palace, were teaming with all manner of exotic beauties. Even Talir, once he had relaxed around the stallions, had a certain charm to him. While he was still somewhat gangly, sporting sharp elbows and knees, he was quick with a smile and more than ready to take Rory to one part of the city or another.

Which had lead to further issues. While they hadn't been allowed to venture far from the palace or for long, there had been plenty of sights that had shocked the stallion. Glimpses stolen of dance halls where women wore little more than veils and a smile. Several merchants of questionable morality recognizing the stallion as a wealthy foreigner had started to offer him things only to get shooed away by Talir. While the cheetah had snarled at the merchants in their native tongue with a speed and ferocity that bewildered the stallion, he had caught enough words to gather the jist of what they offered. Slaves, drugs, and other things that churned his gut to even consider.

He was grateful that Talir was with him. He had a feeling that if it had been a member of the harem she might have encouraged him to partake. If it had been a member of the guard, it would have led to someone being arrested. With the cheetah? They were the same age, and despite their differences in education and upbringing, Talir was quickly becoming a good friend.

"Copper for your thoughts," the quiet voice whispered from the early light drifting through the curtained windows. Talir nuzzling his chest before lifting slightly. A quiet laugh easing out, "Can tell where some of your thoughts lay, no?" His hand shifted, not quite touching the stallion's erection but coming close enough that Rory could feel the warmth of his hand.

A nervous laugh lifted from Rory, "Yeah, well you know how it is. Body has a mind of it's own." Teeth ground as his length pulsed, eyes rolling back as the stallion tried to will it back down.

The hand hovered there for a moment, close enough that he could almost feel the fine hair of the male's fingers tickle his shaft. While a pair of him waited in abject horror at the thought of another male touching his member, there was a growing part that was hoping the cheetah would. It had been a couple days since his quick-sought relief. While not normally a thing of great concern, with everything that had been happening about him it was becoming a torture.

Much to his disappointed relief, the hand dropped to his belly. Talir lifting to nuzzle into his throat with a chirp before sitting up. Rory found himself staring at the lean male as he stretched, dawn's light making his pelt almost glow. Lean form stretching out with a low groan as he worked the night's stiffness out of his limbs.

It was as his was stretching that Rory's attention was drawn down his body, eyes widening at the sight of the cheetah's erection peering over a thigh. Twitching as the cheetah stretched then settled with a smack of his lips. "Breakfast, Rory?"

He ripped his attention away from that peeking erection to nod, "Ye-yes." Getting out of bed, he did his best to hide his own pendulous wood. A part aware of how Talir had pulled a leg up, chin resting on it, as he watched the stallion stand and stretch. "I think Father had mentioned something about allowing us to roam further abroad."

A pleased noise came from the feline, "Good. While the Silk is lovely, it is hardly the best example of the city." The Silk was what he the area around the palace was called. District of nobles, wealthy merchants, and a market full of lavish items and smiling shopkeeps with sharp eyes and hungry purses. Overall a very safe place to be, and as Talir put it, boring.

Rory did have a purse fat with money, an allowance gifted him by his father, but Talir had talked him out of dropping too much too fast. Now the stallion found himself looking at the purse as he got dressed, back turned to the cheetah to cover his shame.

Body pressed to his back as hand snaked around to cup his coin purse. "Heavy," Talir chuffed. Rory stiffened before looking at the cheetah as he smiled up at the stallion. Lifting the purse, he bounced it with a jingle of coin. "Dinner bell to thieves." He slipped around Rory and quickly dug into the bag, "Do you have others purses?"

"Top drawer." He took a step back to give his friend more room to work.

Talir finding the bags and digging out a few coins. This pouch was tucked into Rory's belt, "Keep them here, just in case." A smile flashed, "Will try to keep you safe while in the Bones, but things happen sometimes even when you are most aware." Stepping in, Talir hooked another purse to his hip before taking a few coins for himself. Something he'd grown accustomed to since Rory had let the native handle most of the dickering.

Rory finished getting dressed, deciding on one of the looser outfits that local males tended to wear. Fine clothing, very befitting the weather here, but looser than he was used to. Especially the voluminous pants. Talir had changed his clothing as well, shedding his almost non-existent harem garb for something more akin to what he'd been wearing before. Though obviously cut of finer cloth than the cheetah had access to.

Arasha looked up as they exited the bedroom, a curious glimmer in her eye quickly fading at the slight shake of Talir's head. She and Edward were seated at table in the suite's main room, steadily making their way through breakfast. Rory's father dressed in light robes, not unlike the ones Rory was wearing, that local men tended to favor. Arasha in her usual very light and airy outfit that left very little to the imagination.

Her smile stayed bright as she purred, "And good morning to you two. Did you sleep well, Rory? No more nightmares I trust?"

"Nightmares?" Edward looked up from some volume he'd been pouring over. Looking from the lioness over to Rory, barely giving Talir a glance, before focusing his attention on his son.

A low chuff came from the lioness, "Yes you remember. First day he woke with a start. Nearly scared the fur off poor Talir he did." She laughed softly, "Excitement, new environment, and new food unsettled him just a little. You know how you are the first night or two each time you return."

Understanding dawned, "Ah yes, of course. I'd forgotten." He returned to the volume, grumbling over some change to some agreement, angrily scratching down some notes.

Arasha rolled her eyes and cast a sigh in the younger Clayton's direction. Her demeanor suggesting that she was used to his father bringing work to the table as well. Rory's mother had tried to ban work from the dinner table while he was at home. Rescinding the order when he'd spent the better part of a month taking meals in his office.

The lioness cleared her throat quietly. Edward not even looking up from his notes. Using his free hand to scoop breakfast into his mouth. Eyes were rolled towards the younger Percheron before she cleared her throat, a little more pointedly this time. He paused mid-chew and looked at her. The lioness arching her brows towards Rory. Edward's features screwing up before clearing. He leaned and reached into a pocket as he tried to swallow. Only to start coughing as he rushed the food.

A smile crossed her features as she rounded the table, offering a cup with one hand, the other drawing the envelope from his pocket. "I believe you wanted to go further abroad in the town, yes?" She glided across the floor and offered the letter to Rory, "This will let the guards know you can enter and leave the gates. Just be back by dark and be safe." She gave his cheek a kiss, Rory's ears folding back with a blush. "And you," she grabbed Talir's cheeks with both hands, "you keep him out of trouble." A kiss to his forehead. "Will you two be joining us for breakfast?"

Rory started as he looked over the food, "I would love to, but Talir had told me about some street vendors he usually gets food from, thought I might like to try that."

Her ears perked up and looked towards the cheetah with a curious noise. Talir flashing slightly nervous smile, "Palace food is good, Lady, but if he wants to learn more about the country, should eat some..." he trailed off as he thought of how to phrase it.

"More common food. Stuff here can be a bit too heavy, I do love some street food when I can get it." She flashed an easy smile, "That's fine, just remember to stay out of trouble." And with that she was back over at the table and her own meal.

Rory followed behind Talir as the cheetah happily lead him out of the palace and through the city streets. While the guards at various gates wouldn't have given the messenger a second glance, they had stopped Rory before. Now, even without showing them the letter, the guards were more than happy to let him pass. Only giving a nod before returning to soft conversation with each other.

While it wasn't a drastic change from one side of the gate to the other, there was a noticeable difference. Houses started to show some age. Paint, which had been used to decorate and personalize homes, was still here and there though it was beginning to flake. Moving through the Earthen district had a different feel than the Silks for certain. Back home, Rory would go 'slumming' with some of the other students on occasion and hit areas of town more like this.

Talir continued onward, passing by the brightly colored banners denoting one market after another. Through residential streets and further on. Making his way to a market nearer another wall of the city. He slowed and flashed a smile to the stallion, "Often come here for meals, well before..." he flashed a smile at the stallion, "Simple food, like Miss Arasha said, but good food."

He slowed just a step, scanning the market before rushing to a stall. The stallion moving up close as the vendor bellowed, "TALIR! Where have you been, Boy?!" Rory stopped at the bellow, ears locking onto owner of the stall. A middle aged vulture woman with a touch of gray about her temples. Arms bared and apron stained from the food she was working on. Eyes darted from Talir to Rory and back, brows arching at the cheetah, "Who is your friend?" Her beak clapping a bit as she looked over the stallion.

Ears twitched back as the cheetah laughed, "He is not that, Auntie." Talir wrapped an arm around Rory's and drew him closer, "This is Rory, a friend of mine." Smile was flashed at the vulture, "He is the Ambassador's son and asked me to show him around town." Her brows arched a bit. "Is not like that," he added hurriedly, "Rory is good friend, and Sultan is paying well for me to be local guide."

The vulture's expression softened, "Well, Rory friend, if Talir likes you then you can't be all bad." She looked between the pair, "Have you boys eaten yet?" Both shook their head and she huffed with an annoyed ruffle. "Then we need to fix that!"

Rory craned his head to watch as she threw some sort of thin dough into a pan. Swirling it about the oil before flipping. With one egg in each hand, she cracked it onto the bread, adding some herbs and a scattering of some chunky cheese before starting on a second. Rory's ears perked curiously as she swirled and checked and waited, Talir bouncing on his toes beside the stallion.

In a matter of moments she pressed two rolled breads into their hands. "There you boys go. Eat." She leaned forward, "Wasim. HEY! WASIM!" another vendor leaned forward, "Get these boys a drink!" The vulture clapped her beak with a grin, "He'll get you dears something nice."

Talir took his with a thrilled trill, taking a bite out even as he dropped several coins onto the counter. Coins which barely had a second to ring out before they were gone, being tucked into her apron.

Rory collected his bread and caught the vulture giving him this strange, unreadable look, before she turned her attention on a leopard that had roamed up behind them. He found himself stopping to look at her for a second longer before following the cheetah. The second vendor, another vulture, already pressing an earthenware mug into the cheetah's hand. Giving the stallion a look not unlike what the other had given him, though with far more openness than she had.

Ears twitched back as he found himself somewhat nervously looking at the cheetah. Talir tugging at his sleeve, "Come, we can eat over here," and leading him to a little table set under an awning.

Settling down, he nibbled at his bread. Pausing briefly before tearing off a chunk to stuff down his mouth. It was simple, but delicious, certainly far more common than what they served at the palace. "Is good?" Talir chirped, Rory nodding around his mouthful. "Auntie... Lina, has always tried to make sure I stay fed." He flashed a smile, "Even giving meals when I couldn't pay, she is good person."

He laughed, "I wondered why you didn't bargain with her."

Talir gave a little smile as well, "We take care of each other when we can. I get extra coin, they get some as well." He tapped a his mug, "They were giving you the evil eye because they worry..."

"About what?"

He didn't answer right away, just picking at his food. "What are they worried about, Talir?" Rory's ears stood forward before laying back as a thought formed. Voice dropping to a worried whisper, "Oh... are they worried that I bought you?"

"Something like that..." Talir stuffed the rest of his meal into his mouth and chased it with the rather strong tea. "Hate to rush breakfast, but there is something I want to show you before it gets too late in the day." Talir smiled, but it wavered for a moment before fading. "Something I think you should know to understand more about me, yes?"

Rory finished his food quickly as well, Talir collecting the mugs and taking them back to Wasim. He leaned into the stall to whisper something the vulture, gesturing and shaking his head a bit. Rory staying on the stool as he tried to swallow the mouthful he had.

Talir shook his head at something the vendor said before returning, putting on his best smile, "Will only be a little detour before we see more of the city."

Something about his tone and the change in his demeanor made Rory nod and do his best to smile as well, "I put myself in your capable hands, Talir." He liked to think of himself as a pretty good judge of character and personality. Over the last few days he was pretty sure he had a decent read on Talir. Especially once he'd made it known that he wasn't wanting to bed the feline. They even had a laugh when he confided the reason he'd chosen the cheetah.

Breakfast sitting heavy in their stomachs, the pair ventured back to the streets. Talir leading the way out of the main area and into a more run down section. Homes made of worn and beaten stone showing signs of ages and disrepair. "The Bones," he uttered over his shoulder, "poorest of the poor." His ears folded back as he wound through the streets. "If you see me run, then start running too."

Now that sent a bolt of worry racing up his spine. The stallion looking about nervously, ears standing tall, as they roamed further and further into the district.

They had been walking for some time when Talir stopped him with a gentle touch. Ears perked tall as the cheetah peered around a corner. "There." Feeling more than a little nervous, he moved forward and looked over the cheetahs head. Talir's ears tickling the side of his jaw. He found himself scanning for anything strange, but all that was before him was a run down shack of a house, absolutely tiny thing, but with a middle-aged cheetah female resting outside under a faded awning. "My mother," came the whisper.

Rory's muzzle wrinkled with confusion, "She looks... nice?" he wasn't sure why Talir had brought him here. "Should we go say hel..." a hand to his mouth silenced him. The pair watching from the alley as a male approached. Judging from what he wore, the leopard looked like he was a guard. No sooner had he approached than Talir's mom perched up, purring something to him. A snort came from the male as he tossed a few coins at her. She caught them without looking, Standing up and walking into the shack with a bump to her hips. Leopard chuffing and already undoing his cloth belt as he followed.

It was only seconds later before some very pointed growls and huffs came drifting from the shack. "My mother," Talir breathed out a quiet sigh, "She does what she can to make money. Not pretty enough for the harem, not talented enough for the dance halls." Ears tickled his jawline as the noises grew louder, exaggerated calls of pleasure wafting towards them. "Not everyone has talents or skill for much," he breathed out a snorting laugh, "She does what she's good at though, makes enough to pay for food."

He leaned back into the stallion's broad chest with a sigh. Without thinking about it, Rory found himself wrapping an arm loosely about Talir's form in a loose hug. A silent rumble shaking against his chest as the feline leaned against him.

It was just a brief moment before the cheetah's ears perked and he pulled away. "Wait here," Talir glanced either way before loping out of the alley and towards a small group of people by the house. Each one a feline, all lanky and most sporting some form of spots dotting their pelt. Though most appeared to sport markings of other species as wells. Stripes here, florets there, one getting their half-grown mane braided. Rory leaned against the alley wall and watched as the cheetah laughed, tousled some hair, and handed over some coins to the half-grown mob.

Talir only stayed for a minute or two before urging them to hurry off somewhere before returning to Rory with a quiet sigh. Head turning as the noises from the shack grew louder, "I understand if this changes how you think of me, but thought you might like to know where I come from. There was a sad smile on the cheetah's face as he rubbed his arm, "I'm... not of the polish and pearls of the Silks. I'm..." a louder cry followed by a snarl made his ears pin back. "Yes."

Rory felt a flutter of something in his gut as he looked from the slightly distraught Talir to the house, then back. He slowly lifted an arm and wrapped it around the cheetah, hugging the leaner male to his chest. "You are someone I've only known a couple days and already consider a close friend." He laughed softly, "And you've got brothers and sisters, so I'm a little jealous."

A soft laugh was pressed into his chest as the cheetah leaned forward, "What? You don't have siblings?" Chin pressed to Rory's chest as he looked up, tail twitching. The stallion shaking his head. "You're missing nothing."

The cheetah pressed a sigh to his chest and nuzzled before pulling away. "Come, you saw the deepest side, let's go up from here, yes?"

Following Talir through the town, they hit up several sights. A great library, roamed through several markets, and even considered seeing a play. Though when Talir heard the title he quickly advised that Rory might not want to see that one. He'd been confused until he was told that it was a play about how the gods created the world, including a very vivid scene involving the goddess of life.

With it approaching midday, they decided to return to the palace and wait out the heat of the day. Talir already yawning as his need for a nap started to catch up. Rory gave his shoulder a pat, "I'll probably be in there shortly, want to get through this chapter in a book I was reading on the way here."

Talir muttered something and shambled into the bedroom, leaving the door cracked partway to let the wind roll through. Rory watched him shamble off and ventured towards his father's office.

He'd been thinking about what he saw in the slums. While he wasn't entirely sure what, he did know that he wanted to do something for his friend. And Talir was indeed a friend. Clever, quick with a smile or joke, affectionate, and most importantly, he was respectful of Rory's various hangups. Which he was beyond thankful for. He'd been afraid that even with his choice, Talir would have been actively trying to court and woo him. Strange as it may be, he waned to ensure that his friend would have a decent place once they headed back to the Empire. While he didn't know what could be done, his father would.

Which his father wasn't in his study. Ear twitched slightly as he thought, running over the places his father could be. He'd quickly discovered that midday everything shut down, and with good reason since it got unbearably hot.

He was about to step into the office to leave a note when he heard muted voices. Ears twitching before honing in on where they were. The bedroom. Right, everything shut down this time of day. Arasha seemed to have the same respect for his father that Talir had for him. Seeing as how she'd been pushing for his father to relax, she probably drug him away from the office to relax. Probably a good thing since Rory could get her opinion on the whole matter as well.

Edward's bedroom was right next to the office, door propped open to let the breeze through. Rory could hear his father and Arasha talking inside, soft laughs and breathy purrs easing out. Without thinking twice, he strode to the door and started to push it open.

Freezing instantly at what lay before him. His father, naked as the day was long, was lifting Arasha into the air before bodily throwing her onto the bed. The equally naked lioness bouncing, twisting in the air, and landing on her side with a chuff. Eyes shining as she lifted her leg until it was nearly laying flat against her. Pink slit bared to the stallion as he approached.

Her giggle turning into a throaty call as he plunged into her. Slick entrance wrapping tight around the stallion's mottled pole. Lean stomach bulging visibly as the male pounded in. Leaning forward to brace his hands on the bed, grunting as he started to take her like some sort of animal.

Rory couldn't move, clutching the door as he stood there, mouth agape. His father, upstanding member of the Empire, Ambassador to the Sultanate, seemingly model citizen and completely unscathed by political scandal; was currently balls deep inside of a member of the Sultan's harem. Not just any member either, but a woman fully half his age! Never mind that not only were they not married, but that he was! He couldn't even begin to count the number of religious rules and social conventions that were being shattered.

Part of the reason why he couldn't count was that all the blood was rushing away from the head that did the thinking for him.

It had been bad enough when the lioness was rubbing against him. Now that he was watching her react to a stallion pounding her. Arms coiling about his father's neck, face upturned in bliss, toes flexing as her hips lifted to meet the stallion's powerful thrusts. While the noises that bubbled up from her were similar to the ones that Talir's mother had voiced, they were in another realm entirely. Arasha was practically singing as she and his father worked through the paces. Lips meeting, bodies pressing to one another, claws just barely scratching at his shoulders. The pair engaged in the most primal of dances and showing just how elegant it could be. And as they moved, Rory caught a look on his father's face that made his throat tighten.

The look was one that Rory had never seen his father wear before. Not even his mother had earned such a look of want, need, and excitement. He knew from school that ambassadors had to wear all guises of all kinds. Here, now, for the first time in his life, Rory was seeing his father without any veil.

He had to clamp a hand over his muzzle as he watched, breath coming in shorter gasps now as the pair rocked on the bed. Edward's thrusts growing sharper as Arasha's rose in pleasure. The lioness bucked into him, body quivering like a plucked harp strings. Edward managed a few more plunges before he too peaked. Pressing tight to his partner, legs stepped apart to give the younger stallion a perfect view as his heavy purse lifted. Tail flagging as he filled her to the brim and beyond. Thick seed soon drooling out of her body as he drew back. His nostrils flaring as he picked up the pair's scent from across the room.

Rory wasn't aware of standing up or moving. The image of his father filling Arasha burned into his eyes as he nearly stumbled through the suite and into his own room. Talir was once again naked, the cheetah hugging a pillow to his face as he lay there, tail twitching slowly.

Eyes opened as Rory stumbled in, smile forming then fading just as quickly, "Rory?" he chirped, sitting up, "Are you okay? Looks like you've have a nightmare."

He took a breath, then another. Everything was spinning about him and his clothes felt too hot. "It's just..." he tugged at his shirt, "hot is all." How could he explain his situation to Talir? He'd just found out that his father wasn't just cheating on his wife, but everything he'd been drilling into Rory since the day he could. Every one of his beliefs that he'd felt were too restrictive and none seemed to apply to his father?

Talir was out of bed and before him in a second. "Oh you are sweating something fierce." Gentle hands undoing his shirt and pushing it open. Rory's hands coming up to still the cheetah's. A curious chirp slipped from the male as he lifted his head. Eyes meeting for a moment as the he looked down into his friend's eyes. Thumbs rubbing Talir's hands. The stallion taking a deep breath, well if his father could so readily break all the rules...

A shocked noise came from the cheetah as he was kissed. Surprise lasting only a second before he pressed in, melting into the embrace with a chitter. Hands sliding over Rory's bared chest as his head angled. It was Rory's first real kiss and he wasn't sure what to do with it, but Talir was more than ready and able to guide him.

Gentle touches guided his top off, letting the cheetah's hands roam over his broad chest and shoulders. Kiss breaking just a second before Talir leaned back into it. Sweet, soft, allowing Rory space to pull away should he want.

He didn't.

Instead he found his hand dropping to embrace his companion, drawing him nearer. Chest to chest now as they eased ever closer. Talir's warmth pressing against the erection that threatened to break free. A questioning noise being pressed into the kiss as a slender hand dropped to trace his manhood. Quiet snort and rock of his hips signaling that it was okay. Soft touch guiding the rest of his clothes to the ground.

Talir's fingers trailed over his hips and rear. Feeling the stallion's powerful form before drawing a step away. Rory nearly stumbling as the slight support was withdrawn. A giggle easing out as the kiss was broke, "Easy now," Talir trilled before pushing back in to the kiss.

Rory had seen plenty of kisses before. Quick little pecks of lips or cheeks. He'd never imagined what fiery passion could be wrought with such an embrace. The taste of his partner, feel of breath on lips, those little twitches against his own. He was reeling in another way within seconds. And then Talir took him to a new level by tenderly pressing his tongue into the stallion's panting maw.

Step by step he was guided to the bed. Leg bumping against it and wobbling as he nearly toppled. The gentlest of pushes from the cheetah sending him backwards, Talir's body pressed tight to his as they fell together. Only breaking the kiss once they were settled. "Talir..."

A finger silenced him, "Shush," The smaller male shifted against him, freshly groomed fur gliding over his aching manhood. Even that simple act nearly enough to send the stallion over the edge.

Hands framed his head and rubbed his cheek as Talir leaned over him. "Rory Clayton, you worry about my past and future, yes?" A nod, nostrils flared as he breathed in the cheetah's scent. "Silly, you forget about the present." Lips brushed his. "Yes, I was surprised when you picked me. Flattered beyond belief. Worried that I would be someone's play thing." Body rolled slowly against his, "Then we talked, we shared meals, and I..." he laughed, "I have been wanting you more with each hour." The lean male shifted ever so slightly and reached down, hand hovering over his manhood. "May I?"

Why was his mouth so dry? Rory licked his lips and nodded, "Please."

"Ever the gentleman," he churred. Even the gentle touch of him wrapping fingers around the cock was enough to make Rory buck. A quiet purr slipping out as Talir kissed his neck. Down his collarbone. Trailing over pecks then abs. Cheek brushing the tip on its way down to his balls. "Do you know why they allow me, a man and a messenger, to go through the Sultan's harem unescorted?" Laying against Rory's thighs, he nuzzled the stallion's pent up sac. Talir smiled up at him, cradling the cock as his lips brushed the stallion's purse, "I find beauty in women, but not attraction." Lips brushed the base with a kiss. "I prefer men, and you Rory Clayton, are the desire of my heart and loins.

Both young men groaned as Talir took one of the stallion's balls into his mouth, suckling on it gently. Hand starting to glide up and down the length. Any thoughts or reservations Rory might have had fleeing his mind in that instant. Watching with deep-chested huffs as the cheetah tended to one of his testes then the other. Taking only a few seconds before his mouth trailed over that pulsing cock. Rough tongue teasing his flesh ever so gently as Talir made his way up to the stallion's tip. Sweeping quickly to taste of his precum. "Sweeter than I imagined," he purred, "much more than people here." He grinned, "I like it."

Fingers trailed lightly over the throbbing length as he shifted. Kissing over the stallion's flaring crown with a huff. Ears flushing as they lay back. "So thick..." Lips brushed his tip, "Wonder if I can..." pushing Rory's tip to his mouth, he tried to stretch his maw over that flared tip.

"Ah...AHH!" came the cry as the stallion's delicate control shattered. Head dropping to the bed as his entire body arched with enough force to nearly throw the cheetah off. Talir had just pulled back, worried he was hurting his partner, which put him in the perfect spot to take the first shot right to his face. Cheetah letting out a surprised sound before pressing close, both hands working the shaft as his tongue lapped at the length. Struggling to keep up with the stallion's sheer volume as he swallowed, cheeks bulging and spilling the male's seed across both.

Rory dropped to the bed like a puppet with cut strings. Eyes rolled back in his head as chest heaved with breaths. Talir's hands teasing over his length as the cheetah purred, cleaning every drop of seed he could off his partner. "Was not expecting that."

A breathless laugh came from the stallion, "Sorry wasn't expecting it," he trailed off as he rolled his head, "First time I've had anyone..." he stopped as he looked at Talir. The cheetah's face and front absolutely drenched in his seed. His partner grinned at him, still toying with his length as tongue bathed his flesh. "Made a mess, did we?"

"A glorious mess!" Talir laughed, getting up and strolling to the basin of water. Cleaning his face off before returning with a towel, "Feel we will need this before long, yes?"

Rory watched as he strolled away, taking in everything about the cheetah in a new light. His sleek form, the sway of his hips, that pert, toned rump, and that flash of erection between his thighs. Rory licked his lips slowly, "Talir, can I ask you something?"

Tail twitched, "Anything you wish." Dropping the towel, he slipped in beside the stallion.

Ears lay back as he thought about how to ask it. A dozen ways thought up and discarded in a flash. "Can I..." he huffed, embarrassed. "Can I return the favor?"

A curious trill came from the cheetah, "You wish to," Talir gestured at his own manhood. When Rory nodded, it was the cheetah's turn to blush with a quiet huff. "First time I have had someone make me that offer, I am beyond flattered." Fingers trailed over Rory's chest, "Usually it's just open up, then bend over." He chuffed and nuzzled into Rory's chest before sitting up. "Will not be insulted if you change your mind."

Stomach fluttered as he watched the feline sit up, "I was always taught a gentleman treats others as he would be treated. Someone offers to entertain you, you return the favor first opportunity." Ears laid back as he rolled onto his side and leaned over the cheetah. Nerves dancing as he reached down to gently cup the male's furred sac, "Though you'll have to instruct me." Leaning down, he nuzzled at the cheetah's scrotum, whuffling at his scent.

Talir shifted up against the pillows with a soft huff, ears pinning back as that velvety muzzle played over his balls. "You're making a good start." Claws pricked at the bedding, "Just be gentle and take it slow."

Rory nodded, fine hairs tickling the cheetah as he sniffed the cock. Propping himself up on his elbows as he leaned in to lick over the cock. It tasted strange, not unpleasant, just different. Lips flicked and curled against the member before he lifted his head. Tongue playing over soft barbs on the male's base then up to his tip. Each one tickling across his tongue as he examined Talir. Taking his time with studying the male before he leaned in and gently closed lips around his friend.

Soft huffs reached his ears as Talir's hand came down, rubbing through his mane as the cheetah squirmed. Lean body pressing up only to fall back, fighting the urge to thrust as that broad, soft tongue played over his member. "Ooh..." came the breathy moan as his lean frame squirmed. Rory lowered his head and licked over the cock, flat teeth brushing over the flesh. "C-careful with your teeth." Fingers tightening in his mane as the feline whimpered in pleasure.

Nodding, the stallion accidentally bobbed his head. Drawing pleased huffs from his partner. Ears standing up attentively as he began to roll his head. Watching as Talir's eyes shut, mouth hanging open with deep pants. The cheetah's length twitching against his tongue as that flat muscle began to play over it. Pressing the length to the roof of his mouth and across flat teeth.

Talir's gentle whimpers grew into throaty gasps as the cheetah's hips began to jerk. "R-ro-rory I'm about to..." He hissed between clenched teeth, "Cum!" the male yowled out and arched towards him. Overwhelmed by the fact that his partner was actually being attentive for once.

Sac jumped against his chin, warm, salty cum splashing against his tongue. The stallion letting it linger for a moment before swallowing, as that is what he'd seen his lover do earlier. Rory had tasted his own seed before, out of simple curiosity, and Talir's was different. Sharper, saltier, flavor almost too strong for the stallion. Though he did bob his head and keep swallowing as he was certain he was supposed to.

Rory waited until the cheetah's body relaxed with a huff before he moved. The hand gripping his mane relaxing to fall to his cheek. A chittering purr coming from Talir as the stallion lay beside him. Leaner form curling into the larger male with a happy nuzzle.

A soft sigh slipped from one, answered by a similar noise from the other. Rory turning his head to nuzzle Talir's head with a questioning noise. Cheetah lifting his head, to smile and giggle at the other male.

While he was no longer reeling from what he'd witnessed in his father's room, he wasn't really thinking about it either. Rory felt his entire body relax slowly, eyes closing as he nuzzled into Talir's head. Eyes shutting most of the way as he snuffled the feline's head. Then closing the rest of the way as the peace of the situation claimed him with Talir following close behind.

Sun was still bright when Rory stirred. Room still blisteringly hot despite the breeze that wafted through the room. That wasn't what roused him though, it was the soft touches of his partner. Talir lay with his head on the horse's chest, hand idly stroking the stallion's member. Rubbing his palm against the flesh ever so lightly as it lay on Rory's belly. His ears lifted as he watched the cheetah playing with him, sleek body vibrating with quiet purrs.

"Not gonna be able to stop you from playing with that now, am I?" Talir jumped with a surprised noise, hand tucking tight against his chest. "It's okay," Rory rubbed his friend's head gently, "I like it."

The hand returned to his member, weighing it gently and letting his fingers trace the mottled coloration and bulging veins. "It is a very impressive tool." Lifting it, the cheetah leaned in to nuzzle at the base with a huff, "Worthy of such a fine male as yourself."

A quiet huff slipped out as Rory blushed, "Trying to flatter me when you've already got me in a state?" He bit his lip as the cheetah's tongue bathed his tip. "What more do you want from me?"

Talir's stroking slowed then stopped, ears folding back against his head. Rory's heart stopped, worried that he'd said something wrong. "There is one thing..." he started slowly, lifting the cock again then looking at it. "Wouldn't do if you didn't want it though." Lips pressed to the shaft in a kiss, working his way up slowly, seeming intent on playing with every last inch that the stallion had.

Rory's laugh turned into a huff as the lips graced his crown. "You know more about this than I do." His hand coming down on Talir's back somewhat awkwardly, stroking.

A chitter came from the cheetah, "What I'd like to do... will take some work to do." He stroked the cock, looking at how his fingers couldn't quite meet as he squeezed the length. Taking a breath, the cheetah leaned over and opened wide. A huff jetting from the horse as predatory teeth brushed over his head. Watching in awe and surprise as the cheetah leaned forward, jaws having to stretch to get that thickness into his maw.

Eyes widened with a chesty groan as the cheetah shifted to lay atop him. Straddling his broad chest with a moan. Head bobbing ever so slowly, hands stroking the length to keep him up. Not that Rory needed any incentive to stay hard as iron at the moment.

Talir's hips wiggled as the cheetah tended to him. His tail arching as he reached back to spread his cheeks, exposing his rear to Rory. Jaws shaking with a moan as his fingers found his back door and toyed with it. The stallion watched with rapt fascination as his partner's fingers rubbed his rear before pressing in. Body jumping a bit at the pressure as he huffed around the cock.

Nostrils flared as he watched the feline work. Torn between wanting to buck into that eager maw and watching as the fingers pumped in and out of that pucker.

He came up with a gasp, hand stroking over cock to spread saliva and precum. Quiet chuffs puffing from his mouth as he looked at the spire before him. "Trying to get myself prepared, but..." he laughed, "Don't think I can be prepared for this." Giving the head another kiss, the cheetah moved to kneel on the bed, dropping his shoulders down and leaving his rear lifted. He looked back at Rory and spread his cheeks with both hands. "You've seen people having sex, yes?"

"Y-yes..." his father and Arasha were people. Education-wise that was about as good as it got. In school he'd been taught about reproduction. Namely how it was meant to be done after marriage, with a woman, and only under covers.

Talir gave his hip a pat, "Then come here, place your hands here." Rory did as he was told, hands closing about the feline's slender hips. Talir biting his lip as he reached back to grab the stallion's cock. A few strokes brought that fat head in line with his pucker. "Gently now, just start to rock your hips." Body arched and pushed back, "Like this, gently."

It was harder than he'd thought to keep his thrusts shallow. Just feeling the cheetah's hot form against his made him want to slam in. Images of how his father had pounded every inch into the lioness dancing before his mind's eye.

He'd been told to go gently and he was nothing if not studious. Precum spilled onto the tight rear, only aiding as their bodies pressed together. Breathy moans puffing from the cheetah as he rocked back, pushing a bit harder now. Rory followed the unspoken signal by pushing forward that much harder. Feeling how that tight muscle spread around his tip. Slowly. Steadily, one push after another Talir spread further against him. Not resisting the entry as much as nearly being overcome by the girth of the Percheron's manhood.

A gasp was shared as Rory's broad tip pressed past the pucker. Talir's body jerking under him with a smothered yelp. "A-are you okay?" Rory panted, sweat foaming at his hide. What was he doing? The oral fun had been bad enough, well outside of what he should have been doing. It was wrong in every sense of the word, but he couldn't stop himself.

Talir bit his lip and wiggled his hips, "V-very! Just remember, slow now." He looked back with a smile, "Giving me a very good stretch."

Working together, it took the pair a little time before Rory's groin met Talir's hips. Both the Percheron and cheetah practically vibrating as their bodies pressed flush. He couldn't help it, a hand falling to the bed beside his partner, as he nearly dropped over Talir. Hips squirming back against his with a mewl. Each squirm met with a soft buck of his own. Motions growing larger, bolder, as the pair grew used to one another.

Nothing was spoken, but they knew when the other was ready. Hips drawing back before powering in. Body meeting the thrust with a pleased call and the crack of flesh. Claws pricking the bedding as they parted. Only briefly before driving in again. A grunt driving from the stallion as he started to treat the feline like the spotted mare he seemed intent on being.

Arm wrapped around his as a cry lifted from the cat. Body thrumming under the stallion as he drove up. Each press met with a throaty grunt and buck. Each one harder than the last, heavy balls slapping off the male's rear.

His ears were at full attention, loving the noises that he was drawing from his lover. Those sweet pants, the sharp cries, all while Talir wore a look of pure bliss. Eyes lifted and head rolling with each jarring thrust.

Rear clenched and grabbed at him as Talir's voice rose in pleasure. Entire body vibrating under him with each thrust. Nails digging into his forearm as pleasure built.

Breathes were coming in sharper gasps as the male shook under him. Hips shaking before slamming up and back with a yowl. Claws digging into his arm as rear tightened down. The scent of the cheetah's climax filling flared nostrils. Rory snorted over him, thrusts growing sharp and short as his end approached. Only lasting a matter of seconds before he slammed in and let loose with a squeal of his own.

Arms gave out, throwing him down onto his partner. Talir's legs giving out as he was driven to the bed with a gasp. Purring under Rory as the stallion's arms wrapped around him slowly. Both trying to catch their breath as the stallion's climax dripped to a slow halt.

Out of the corner of his eye, Rory saw a long muzzle slip around the door before closing it. Oh fuck. His father just saw him fucking another guy. Worry racing up his spine before stopping. He'd seen his father fucking the lioness, surely that was on even enough grounds. At the very least, they should be able to continue their activities in private and continue to treat each other the same outside. Not that they had much to speak of before.

Lips brushed Talir's ear as Rory pulled out. A gasp coming from the cheetah as his hips lifted. Cum drooling down his balls and thighs as the stallion popped free. A groan slipping out as his eyes narrowed into a purr.

"Hey," Rory kissed his ears, "I'll be back in a second, okay?"

Tail twitched as the cheetah purred, "Do not keep me waiting, Rory." He smiled lazily, "Think I would like to curl up with you and doze off again, yes?"

He smiled, "That sounds lovely." Another kiss and he was up. Walking on unsteady legs to the basin to get cleaned up. He didn't bother with a full outfit, grabbing a robe to cover his damp form with before venturing out into the apartments proper.

Edward Clayton was waiting for him just beyond the door, wearing a robe not unlike his. Looking up as his son clopped in. "Rory," his tone was quiet as he poured something into a glass, back to the younger stallion. "We need to talk."

Rory crossed his arms over his chest as he straightened his back, feeling somewhat defiant, "Yes we do, Father." His tone made the other stallion look at him with an unreadable expression. Both ears trained on his son as he waited a beat. "I saw you and Arasha, in your bed chambers."

"Ah." A singular word, indicating understanding and a hint of surprise. "That would explain why she said I should check in on you. And that smirk of hers." Stepping away from the sideboard, he walked over to his son and offered a glass. An amber liquid swirled in each glass. His father's favorite spirit?

Confused, he took the glass and looked at Edward. The older stallion sighing and taking a long draw off the glass. "First thing, I want you to know that I... Hmm, how to explain this. I have wronged your mother, but not in the way that you might believe. She is perfectly happy with the position and prestige offered her by being married to me. No, she's fine with that and I know for certain that you know our arrangement is not uncommon." He took a seat on a couch and pointed at the chair opposite.

Rory took the seat and nodded slowly. He knew many of the upper echelon who had mistresses and secret lovers. It wasn't a problem until one grew spurned or there was an 'accident' that would produce a bastard.

Another sip of the scotch, "I married her because it was the thing to do. To keep my position I had to have a wife, had to have a child." He waved a hand, "I feel I wronged her by all that. And worse..." he looked into the glass, "I wronged you. My only son, by not telling you the truth in many ways." He breathed out a laugh and leaned forward, "We both learned something about each other today, saw things we shouldn't have otherwise."

It was his turn to laugh, "Yeah...could say that." He lifted the glass to take a long draw.

"Sip it, gently now. It's a fine bottle and deserves to be savored." Edward tapped his fingers against the glass as he thought. "I need to make amends with you, Rory. I've always been proud of you, but I wanted you to have the best chance at doing... whatever it is you wanted." He hesitated, "I don't even know what it is that you enjoy." Edward shook his head, "So I pushed you harder than I should. For that, I am sorry." He took a deep breath and leaned back. "We have a lot to talk about, much catching up to do. I feel that I should start so you know where I am coming from. Then you can tell me where you are coming from."

Edward's brow lifted in silent question before Rory took the seat. "It all begins thirty years ago. I was quiet the young stallion back then and Sultan Rikh was..."