My King's Seraglio

Excerpt

Tobey watched the crowd with disdain and wondered again why he had agreed to come for the celebration of the new High King. Yet another attempt by his father to get him married off to someone influential so their family might rise up in ranks. Politics in Naverya. It made Tobey's skin crawl. The things some people would do to attain power; even compromising their own principles. He stayed in the back as others tried to get as close to the royal families as possible. There were five in Naverya; Radcliffe, Rowan, Dillon, Kelleigh, and Tanner, and five kings, each ruling their own kingdom. But the Radcliffes held the most power. Thus the eldest son for every new generation held the position of High King, making the family the most fawned over. Tobey's lips curled in derision.

"Tobey! Tobey!" his father hissed, trying to get him to go over to where the royal families congregated. As usual, he stood by King Rowan's side, being the chamberlain of the Rowan royal family.

Tobey shook his head slightly and noted with pleasure that his father frowned at him. A small part of him had always loved to rebel. It would have to be good enough that he came.

A little later, a nearby conversation caught his wandering attention.

"Word has it that King Radcliffe's seraglio has only men."

"Are you serious?!"

"Yes. Apparently, he has a preference for that particular gender."

"So, no heir then?"

"Well, there is still a chance of getting an heir."

"Only a small one."

"And even then...to carry the child to full term...well..."

Tobey listened in on the two courtiers' conversation as they hovered near him before walking away. So, the current High King preferred men. Tobey wondered whether it would fall to another member of the family to produce an heir. Although possible for men to get pregnant in Naverya, the chance of it happening was a minute one. Consummation between two men rarely produced offspring and the act of giving birth often endangered the male carrying the child. More often than not, the biology of a Naveryan male was such that during labour, he might suffer from complications resulting in severe blood loss. That was the reason why many male couples preferred to adopt, instead. But to inherit the kingdom, one must be of royal blood. Tobey guessed adopting would not be an option for his royal Majesty.

Things seemed to be winding up. Tobey heaved a sigh of relief. With the Radcliffe family leaving, everyone else would disperse soon. His father had not managed to introduce him to any prospective in-laws and for that he was grateful. He still had his freedom. Tobey started to move towards his father, smiling to himself.

* * * *

A celebration held in his honour with his favourite concubine by his side; Adam considered himself a lucky man indeed. Fortunate enough to be born into the Radcliffe family, power had always been in his grasp. But his brother William drew the luckier lot, no matter what others might think. Will had the freedom to choose, being the second son. Whereas, as first-born, Adam had to take over the position of High King of Naverya.

"Does anyone interest you, your Majesty?" his concubine, Zachary, asked.

"Should they, when I have you by my side?" Adam winked at him.

Zachary laughed. "Aah. But, your Majesty, you are required to add more, even if you are not interested, for political advantage perhaps?"

"Yes, I know," Adam said simply. "The seraglio will not be happy, though."

"The seraglio will never be happy, your Majesty, unless you favour them."

"But they cannot all be jewels like you, my fair Zachary." Adam smiled.

"No, they cannot." Zachary agreed teasingly as yet another noble approached with a son in tow.

"Your Majesty."

"Lord Irwin."

"This is my son, Joshua."

"Good morrow, your Majesty."

"Good morrow, Joshua," Adam replied as he admired Joshua's glossy chestnut brown hair and deep set blue eyes. Beside him, Zachary coughed. Adam nodded slightly as Zachary added Joshua's name to the list of potential men to be added to the seraglio. He viewed the room in general and saw many courtiers dressed to the nines, especially the men. He was amused at the thought that, apparently, they knew of his sexual preference and had dressed accordingly.

"All here to impress you, your Majesty," Zachary said.

"I know. It amuses me. But we still must keep the good relations. How is the list so far?"

"Not too bad. There are ten names so far, all varying in their kingdom of origin. How many do you plan to narrow it down to?"

"Less than five, if possible. I do not want to cause more strife within the seraglio than necessary. How my father managed to control his fifty when I can barely manage ten, I do not know."

"Aah, but that is because of your prowess as a lover, your Majesty," Zachary said, touching Adam's thigh lightly. "We get jealous easily when you favour someone else and they are summoned to your bed."

"You have no reason to be jealous, though, Zachary."

"Not now. Not yet."

"Wait!" Adam held up his hand. His royal entourage stopped walking as their king turned to speak to his chamberlain. "Jeff, who is that?" Adam asked.

"Your Majesty?" Jeff frowned slightly in confusion.

"The blond man over there, walking towards Chamberlain Rowan."

"Did someone catch your eye after all?" Zachary snickered.

"That is his son, your Majesty," Jeff answered.

"I see. Call him." Adam ordered. To Zachary, he said, "He is quite a gorgeous specimen."

"Hmmm..." Zachary looked at the man in question. "Not as gorgeous as you."

"I do so love flattery, Zachary." Adam laughed with his favourite as he watched Chamberlain Radcliffe approach Chamberlain Rowan. The son turned abruptly and walked towards the nearest exit.

Interesting.

"Tobey!" yelled Chamberlain Rowan.

The son, Tobey, continued walking. Very interesting.

"Tobey Joseph Mitchell! You get yourself over here right now!"

By this time, every head had turned to watch the byplay. Eventually, Adam saw Tobey sigh, turn, and walk slowly to his father.

Adam watched with amusement and also curiosity as the Mitchells approached him. The son trudged along sullenly, almost as if reluctant to meet the High King. The blond man made quite an enigma. One Adam wanted to unwrap at the earliest opportunity.

"Your Majesty, Chamberlain Rowan and his son, Tobey Joseph Mitchell." Jeff introduced them.

"It is my honour, your Majesty," Chamberlain Rowan gushed.

"Oh no, the honour is all mine." Adam smiled as he looked at Tobey, who refused to meet his gaze.

"Your Majesty," Tobey grunted out as his father's elbow not so subtly landed in his ribs.

"Tobey, was it?"

Tobey looked up, directly meeting his eyes. "Only my family calls me that. Begging your pardon, your Majesty, but please address me as Mr Mitchell, instead."

"Tobey!" his father called out disapprovingly.

"Oh it is perfectly all right, Chamberlain Rowan." Adam laughed. "Very refreshing… I would like to speak to Tobey alone."

"Sure, your Majesty, anything that pleases you," Lord Mitchell said.

His entourage walked away, giving the High King and Tobey as much privacy possible in a crowded ballroom. Everyone except Zachary.

"Your Majesty?"

"It's all right, Zachary," Adam replied without looking away from Tobey, who defiantly gazed back.

"I will leave you, then." Zachary walked away, but not without glancing back to watch his king and the man he assumed would become the latest addition to the seraglio.

"You do not like me much, do you, Tobey?"

"I like you well enough as High King of Naverya," Tobey replied formally.

"Nicely phrased." Adam chuckled.

"May I be blunt, your Majesty?"

"You mean you weren't before?" Tobey looked at Adam blankly and Adam took a moment to admire his almond-shaped, chocolate brown eyes and the beautiful long lashes that framed them. "Fine, you may."

"Why are you speaking to me?"

"Is it not obvious?"

"You wish for me to be part of your seraglio?"

"And I get the feeling you do not want to be a part of it. This fascinates me. Would it not benefit you and the Mitchell family?"

"Perhaps. But becoming a part of the High King's seraglio has never been my dream." Tobey paused. "No offense, your Majesty," he added quickly.

"None taken." Adam looked at Tobey curiously. "But I have to warn you, I usually get what I want."

And for the first time, Adam saw fear in Tobey's dark brown eyes. "Y-your Majesty?"

"Do not worry, Tobey. I will do no harm to you or your family. I will, however, give you three months to get used to the idea of belonging to me."

"Do I have a choice?"

"In life, we rarely do," Adam said. "You can still fulfil your dreams whilst being my concubine."

Tobey sighed and suddenly stood straighter than before. "One year."

"Six months, and that is my final offer."

"I will see you in six months, your Majesty." Tobey walked away.

And for the first time in his life as High King, Adam ended up being dismissed. He chuckled softly, thinking of the challenge Tobey would be and how he could possibly tame such a beautiful but unruly creature.