“How long has it been since your brother kidnapped me?”
“Today makes four sunrises. ”
“Four? No wonder I’m starving! You’re trying to kill me!” Kyle put his head in his hand, trying to remember just what he’d eaten last, but couldn’t even remember.
“Don’t be so dramatic, Nobyo. They coul
dn’t very well feed you when you were unconscious. They gave you water, I believe, to keep you hydrated. You’ve been mostly sleeping since I brought you home. ”
“Half-drowned me with it, you mean! I remember a little of that, I think. And stop making them sound so solicitous. They kidnapped me, damn it!”
“Nobyo, I realize you’re upset, but I won’t allow you to yell at your master. Now be good and I’ll get us some food. ” Taz ignored Kyle’s gasp of outrage at the word master and pressed a switch on the wall by his head. The door opened in mere seconds to reveal a servant, who bowed deeply at the waist.
Taz spoke to him in rapid Tygerian and sat up, holding out an impatient hand. “Come, Nobyo. The servants are bringing us our first-meal. ”
Kyle tried to scoot to the foot of the bed, but got caught up in the damn pillows. The chain between his ankles snagged the corner of one of the massive things, and he was unable to get it unsnagged.
“Damn it!” He glared up at Taz. “Get this fucking thing off me, now!”
Taz folded his arms and frowned down at him. “I don’t think I like your tone, Nobyo. I’ve already explained why the hobbler is necessary. ” He hauled Kyle to the edge, before picking him up in his arms and carrying him to the table and chairs in a corner of the room.
Kyle was large and not used to anyone carrying him around. He struggled a little and grabbed onto Taz’s neck, afraid he’d drop him.
Taz walked briskly over to deposit him on a chair by the table, not even breathing hard. The second he put Kyle in the chair, the damn plug shifted inside him and he made another grab for it, only to have his hand slapped away.
“Stop, Nobyo. The plug will stay in until I make love to you and we bond. Behave yourself or I’ll chain your wrists while I feed you. ”
Kyle stiffened in outrage. “I’m not a damn child!”
“Then stop acting like one,” Taz said calmly, seating himself across from Kyle.
Kyle glared at him as a knock sounded on the door and it opened to admit two servants, both carrying large trays of food. Kyle felt weak at the sight and smell of the hot food, most of which he didn’t recognize, but any port would do in a storm. Gods, had he ever been so ravenous? Taz took a plate and filled it with a variety of foods and handed it over to him. “Normally, I would have you serve me, Nobyo, but this is a special occasion. Our first meal together. ”
Kyle nodded, too intent on the plate of food in front of him to really pay attention. Still, hungry as he was, he waited to see if the Tygerian observed any religious rituals before eating they did on some planets. Taz gazed over at him approvingly.
“Thank you for waiting for my permission. You may eat, darling. I know you’re very hungry. ”
Kyle gave him a resentful glare. He hadn’t been waiting for permission, only trying to show good manners. Since his resentment was being ignored, however, he began eating some kind of bread with a spicy kind of butter on top. He found it to be delicious. There were small meat pies and what looked like yams too, piled high on his plate. Kyle gave each dish his attention until he’d cleared it all away. He finished with a mug of sweet-tasting milk and leaned back in his chair to find Taz watching him carefully.
Taz smiled at him. “You have nice manners. That’s good. It’s very important as my nobyo that you be able to teach our children how to act properly. ”
Kyle narrowed his eyes. “Our, uh, children? We—I mean—you have children?”
“Of course, darling. Well, our first son will be here soon, anyway. I must have you properly bonded and trained by the time he gets here. ” He smiled and picked up his own mug of milk and took a sip.
The conversation Kyle had with his cousin, Blayde—could it have only been a few days before—suddenly came back to him. What was it he’d said? That’s one reason the Tygerians purchase love slaves. The love slaves rear their babies for them…They call their captives their nobyos. To them, it’s almost like a spouse and another father for their children. They keep them very submissive…
Kyle felt stunned. He’d joked with his cousin about it—now it didn’t seem to be funny in the least. So this was why he kept insisting on calling him Nobyo instead of his name.
“You-you really want me to be your damn nanny? I thought Blayde was exaggerating. ”
Taz frowned at him. “I don’t know who Blayde is, and I don’t understand this nanny, but I don’t like your tone. As I have explained, we call our love slaves our nobyos, and they are like our mates, as I believe you call it. Our nobyos are very special to us—we trust them with our children. This is a very great honor. ”
“I-I don’t know anything about children! Especially babies!”
“The servants will help at first, Nobyo, and you’ll soon learn. You worry too much. Are all Lycans like this?” He stood up and came around the table toward Kyle, whose mouth suddenly went dry at the sight of his naked body. His brain went tilt and whatever they’d been discussing suddenly didn’t seem all that important anymore.
His wolf, who had been sleeping inside him, suddenly stirred and Kyle felt his cock thicken. His mate was so damn beautiful. Kyle stood to meet Taz and reached for him without thinking, drawing him into his arms.