Clan and Crown by Tracy St. John Read Free Book Online Page A

we’re going to do I’m leaving because I have
work to do.’”
    “Those meetings were meant for us to
get to know each other, not get drunk and watch porn.”
    The disgusted sound Clajak made spurred
Egilka’s eyes open. Clajak had settled on a matching chair across
from him and glared at him with temper. “Maybe all there is to me
is booze and sex.”
    “I know better than that. If you
believe it, you’ve been listening to your detractors too
much.”
    Clajak barked a harsh laugh. “I listen
to them just to repeat the behaviors they hate the most. It’s
childish, but I like to rub their noses in it. You though – you
plug along, doing what’s expected, and they criticize you
too.”
    He was right. However, Egilka had no
interest in what men like Councilman Pwaldur and his ilk thought of
him. “I am committed to doing all I can to benefit the
Empire.”
    Clajak nodded. “That’s right. And your
epitaph will be, ‘Here is the life of Imdiko Egilka. He had work to
do.’”
    “I have a promise to fulfill.” One he
should be working on even now, if Clajak would cooperate for a
change.
    Clajak’s eyes flooded with sudden
sympathy. Unable to face it, Egilka averted his gaze. He hoped the
other man wouldn’t pursue the subject. It had brought them to blows
once before. That time had been because Clajak had been thoughtless
and Egilka had reacted out of pure fury. Seeing the compassion in
his intended’s face assured Egilka that the lesson had been
learned. He still didn’t want to talk about it. After all this
time, it continued to hurt like hell.
    He needed to get home. He needed to get
back to work.
    With that in mind, Egilka said,
“Clajak, I know there is more to you than drinking and fucking.
That exclusive contract with the Grynaryt must have been a bitch to
wrangle. Even before that, the trade negotiations with the Adraf
you carried out were a huge coup. Merchants are proclaiming you a
hero at the cut in duty fees they’ll pay.”
    Clajak’s devilish grin returned. “That
escapade was entirely too respectable. Now I must destroy my
people’s goodwill with ribald debauchery lest they expect more
wonderful things from me.”
    Egilka rolled his eyes. While members
of the Royal Council often made pointed remarks about Clajak’s
excesses, particularly Dramok Pwaldur, there was no doubt
Kalquorians adored their crown prince. Clajak was decent enough to
represent the Empire well in trade agreements and wild enough to
keep the population entertained. Kalquorians loved to hear of his
various exploits.
    Egilka told him, “I’ve had enough
excitement to last me for a while. Once we get home and make your
parents and the Empire happy by giving them their clanning
ceremony, do whatever you please.”
    With that, he stood and went to the
bath facility. The large shower beckoned him with its rainfall
spouts secreted in the ceiling. After a day of tracking Clajak
down, bribing the brothel owner and prostitute, disciplining the
prince, and running for his life, Egilka was all too ready to
indulge in a long shower.
    He set the temperature for enough heat
to hopefully make the knots in his muscles unravel. Egilka pulled
his clothing off and stepped beneath the spray. He sighed with
pleasure as a steady but soft streams showered down on him,
splashing warmth over his head, shoulders, chest, and back. Except
for burying his cock in Clajak’s backside, this was the best
feeling he’d experienced all day.
    He reached up to pull his ponytail tie
loose. He was surprised when another pair of hands pushed his away
and set his hair free.
    The deep, honeyed tones of Clajak
tickled his ears. “Let me, Imdiko.”
    Egilka looked over his shoulder at the
prince. Clajak had taken his clothes off. His steel-colored hair
lay in a sheet, like mercury running over his shoulders. The wet
accentuated his muscular frame, making Egilka’s mouth go
dry.
    Pretending his cocks weren’t plumping
as interest surged, the Imdiko said in a