Enslaved by a King [Sold! 5] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic ManLove) (11 page)

Looking around, Noah realized the starship had landed on a leveled peak of a super steep black mountain. As he considered, he realized there wasn’t a tremendous amount of land. It was perhaps as big as the main island of Hawaii. The rock that made the thrusting mountains didn’t look like it was once-flowing lava, but it could have been hammered by the elements and therefore smoothed around the edges. Again, he really should have paid more attention in school. Hopefully, he wouldn’t be called upon to do any math. If the fate of the universe rested on Noah’s ability to compute figures, they were all doomed.

The mountains seemed to form a semicircle around the land below. On top of the sheared-off peaks was a city. Tall, jutting towers of harsh angles dominated the upper landscape, making the city seem indifferent to the thatched-roofed dwellings far below. The city was so modern and sleek it almost looked like it was formed or perhaps modeled after ice crystals. Sadly, for all its beauty, it seemed cold somehow.

It was clear from half a glance that there was a tremendous gulf between the haves and the have-nots. Mingor was a god, that much was clear by the fact he lived on a mountaintop high above the people who worshiped him, but it was just as clear by his expression Mingor wasn’t pleased. The way he’d spoken of his advisors and their cruel disdain for the people below made Noah acutely aware of the fact he’d walked right into the middle of a cultural showdown. Mingor wanted to change the status quo, and his advisors wanted to keep things just as they were. Noah was here to protect him from their ire, but he wasn’t clear on the details of exactly how he would do that. He and Mingor hadn’t quite gotten around to that discussion last night. Not that Noah had minded what they’d done instead. He smiled to himself. Mingor could keep putting him off indefinitely if he sexed him up like that all the time.

As they walked with slow, almost processional dignity down the ramp, Noah examined the advisors. They were all dressed in light blue robes that complimented Mingor’s dark blue color, but it was just as clear they were separate from him. Also, they didn’t wear a golden crown like Mingor did. There were other differences that made it clear Mingor was a part of them but separate, too.

Drawing his gaze down the line of them he noticed that they were all smooth of face like Mingor himself. Noah wasn’t certain how old they were. Just because they were humanoid didn’t mean they aged the same as humans did. Maybe his kind didn’t get wrinkles. All of the advisors were purple, but there were differences between how saturated the color was on their faces and exposed hands. Perhaps that indicated age. Or it could be a tan. Noah would have to remember to ask Mingor.

“What’s that?” Noah darted his gaze over to what looked like a very tall stage. It was odd because it clearly only had room for one person. To his untrained eye it looked like an elevated podium. “Are you supposed to give a speech?”

When Mingor didn’t answer, Noah continued to look at the odd stage. Whatever it was, there was a bunch of people working around the bottom edge of it. Noah had expected to find bedraggled worshippers performing the labor, but from what Mingor had told him they were not allowed on his mountaintop. These must be members of the family lines that produced his advisors.

One of Mingor’s advisors stepped forward. From her stiff posture, it was clear she was speaking for the group at large. “We have readied everything for—”

“I am not subjecting my
sephir
to an archaic and dangerous ceremony, Aido.”

When Noah looked at the curious stage again, he realized exactly what it was for and why it would only hold one person. The stage was set for the trial of fire. Noah felt a shiver right down his spine. Mingor had stated to him and now to his advisors that he was refusing to indulge them in this barbaric ritual, but Noah feared that if Mingor did not, his bond to Noah would be seen as weak.

“If he believes in your power as the water bearer, then he should have no fear of proving his devotion.”

Noah swallowed hard. Clearly, they weren’t going to take his dedication to Mingor on faith. Although Noah had seen a clear and convincing demonstration of Mingor’s power, that didn’t mean he could put him out if he were on fire. Directing the minds of dozens of beings was impressive as hell but the idea of being set ablaze… Even if Mingor managed to put him out right away, Noah would still have burns all over his body.

“I am not so insecure I need such a cruel display of devoutness.” Mingor considered each of the eight advisors in turn. “I would think it would be much more showing to have the ceremony performed on each of you.”

There was a collective gasp among the advisors. Mingor wasn’t calling them out against him directly, but by his subtle suggestion he was most certainly questioning their loyalty.

“He will not be accepted by your worshipers.”

“Only because you will tell them to reject him.” Mingor didn’t seem upset in the least, but Noah was feeling ever more terrified. Whether he indulged in the ceremony or not, there was going to be trouble. It seemed to be a classic lose-lose situation. “Left to their own devices, I think my followers would be happy that I have found a devoted and utterly worthy
sephir
.”

Noah stood a little straighter. If there was one thing he was sure of it was Mingor’s devotion to him. Noah had no question that Mingor was utterly dedicated to him. Mingor clearly didn’t need proof of any sort from Noah. Or perhaps Noah had already shown exactly what kind of a man he was when he exchanged his life for the freedom of others.

“If he does not undergo the trial, we will not accept him.” The woman, Aido, clearly was speaking for the entire group when they all nodded after her announcement.

“And if he does?” Mingor considered them. “You swear that he will be accepted completely?”

It seemed to Noah that Mingor was trying to back them into a corner. If they said this was definitive proof, then they would have to stand by their words. Or would they? For some reason, Noah didn’t trust that they would. It would be too easy for them to then demand something else that would prove Noah’s worthiness. If he wasn’t careful, his life could become a series of progressively more dangerous stunts to prove something to people who would never accept anything he did as proof.

“You know as well as we do that this is the only way for a
sephir
to show utter devotion to the water bearer. Without this test of faith, he—” Aido’s muddy purple gaze narrowed as she considered Noah. “It is a he?”

“Noah Cameron is male. He is from the planet Earth, a world blessed with water.”

“That is hardly a show of anything, Mingor.” Aido managed to be insufferably huffy as if she believed she were better than Mingor himself. It was a strange attitude for an advisor to a god to have. Too bad Mingor wasn’t all-powerful. If he was, he could blast her uptight ass with a bolt of lightning. That would take a bit of the snootiness out of her behavior. As Noah stood there, he wondered why Mingor didn’t use his mental mindfuck on these twits. Maybe it didn’t work on his own kind.

“I do not trust that you will not harm him.” Mingor stated his reserve clearly and confidently. From what he’d told Noah, they used this trick to get rid of a
sephir
they didn’t like. It didn’t take a mind reader for Noah to know they didn’t like him. Just the way the eight of them were looking at Noah told him they would be happy to set him on fire and then dance around while he burned.

“How can we harm a being when you are the water bearer?” Aido asked, placing her hand to her chest as if she was taking Mingor’s accusation personally.

“Because you rig the stage.” Mingor pointed to where the workers were still going over the platform. “I have no doubt that there are additional accelerants placed within the structure.”

Aido’s expression twisted ever so briefly but then smoothed out almost like someone ran an iron over her face. “Are you refusing?”

“I am.” Mingor held his position with a calm dignity that Noah completely admired. He didn’t raise his voice or do anything other than answer them without ire. “I am not about to let you kill my
sephir
because you fear the changes that he brings.”

“Wait, what?” Noah asked the question softly enough so that no one heard him but then stood there, wondering what changes he brought. He had misunderstood being a shield and protecting Mingor, but he didn’t think he was causing changes simply by being here.

“Just by his act of refusing the ceremony shows that he doubts your abilities.” This comment was said by one of the men in the pack who was clearly too much of a coward to step forward and say such a thing while looking directly at Mingor.

“Your simple act of speaking behind another shows you are the one who is truly afraid, Nelrik.” Mingor said almost exactly what Noah was thinking, so he nodded. If all those guys could stand united behind Aido, then Noah would do so behind Mingor. Or rather to the side since they were standing next to each other.

There was a moment of silence. Noah was hoping the debate was over and he and Mingor could go and see where they would be living. After something to eat, a nap, and some sex, Noah would love to start exploring the city in earnest. He really wanted to see one of the ocean turtles that Mingor had compared to his eyes.

“If he does not undergo the test, then he is not considered your
sephir
by us or by the people who worship you.” Aido pointed down below the platform, and Noah realized the populace was gathering to watch the spectacle. “He will be considered your
dosair
and nothing more.”

It took a moment, but the word translated to
hole
. Noah felt his brows climb and his mouth drop open. It was pretty damn clear there was a huge difference between being a
sephir
and a
dosair
. Noah hadn’t liked the idea of being considered Mingor’s queen, but he liked the idea of being considered his fuck toy even less.

“Would that make me your sex slave?” Noah asked Mingor quietly.

“It does not matter what they call you.” Mingor turned and faced Noah directly. “The only thing that matters is what I call you.”

“But a
hole
?” It was so crude and nasty it made Noah cringe just to say it.

“It is not translating correctly.” Mingor sighed and then smiled, but it was clear his smile was for show and not a real indication that he was pleased. “I already told you I do not need a show of your devotion to me.” He cupped Noah’s face. “I know that you will hold to your word because you are an honorable soul.”

“I am. But it seems to me they are going to keep causing you trouble if I don’t do this.” Noah looked again at the platform and swallowed hard. It wasn’t just his advisors but everyone on the planet. No wonder Mingor hadn’t wanted to tell him about this ceremony. It was clear if Noah didn’t go through with it that Mingor would look bad. “You can put me out, right?”

“I will not do this.”

“If you don’t, they are going to keep questioning me, and that means I’m not going to be able to protect you. Right?” From the look on Mingor’s face, Noah knew he was correct. “The only way I can protect you is by becoming your
sephir
fully in not only your eyes but theirs and theirs.” Noah pointed to both the advisors and the ever-increasing audience below.

Mingor looked on the verge of arguing the point, but he ultimately gave Noah a curt nod.

“I’ll do it.”

Mingor’s eyes widened.

“I believe in you.”

“Noah.”

Noah waited for him to say something else, but Mingor only stared at him with his impossibly beautiful amethyst eyes. Under the white light of their star and the rich blue of their sky, his gray hair took on a richer sheen, making it practically glow. Here, on his own world, Mingor did look like a god.

“Has he agreed to undergo the challenge?” Aido sounded practically gleeful.

A new surge of panic infused Noah’s spine, but he wasn’t going to back down. He had a feeling that would only make things worse for Mingor. Since he feared his voice would crack if he said anything, Noah looked at Aido and nodded. Within moments, Noah found himself stripped out of his robe, escorted up the steps, and then placed on the top of the platform. As he stood there watching the crowd below, he realized it was too late to back out now.

Mingor felt powerless to stop the ceremony once it was underway. As he stood feeling raw terror for the first time in his life, he watched as Noah was stripped and taken up the steps. He wasn’t bound at the apex of the flammable mountain because that would defeat the purpose of proving his faith in Mingor’s abilities. If he ran, he would be showing that he didn’t believe Mingor would literally move the forces in the sky to protect him. One wrong move such as that and his advisors could claim he was worthless, dismiss him, and then they could get on with finding a way to kill Mingor without suspicion.

However, if Noah survived the test, his advisors would have to accept him. Contrary to what Noah thought, there was no other test, no other trial they could throw in their path. The only question was could Mingor compel the elements to save Noah against the trap his advisors had set for him? There was no question that they had built the platform to immolate the man Mingor had chosen to shield him from their determination to keep their way of life intact. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t thwart them.