Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was hot outside, but when was it not hot?
The hot afternoon sun was unforgiving and it felt like it would sear off his skin the longer he stood underneath it, but that was always the preferred time for sales.
The time when the nobles would come out of their fancy palaces and mansions to shop in the market square. For the traders, making good money was a matter of strategic use of time and location.

Afternoons were not the only perfect times for trading, there were nights as well. Nights for fancy underground parties where the nobles gathered to watch produce dance for them. Nights where brothel doors would open for special occasions, when the buying and selling of a special kind of produce could take place. Brothels were a strategic location for an exotic kind of money making, but they were not the right place for Produce like him, or he'd been told.

The best time for produce in tiptop condition was standing in the afternoon sun.

Jayce clenched his fists, eyes turned down as his back burned. He couldn't recall how long he'd lived as a slave. It had been a long time since Piltover fell and was taken over by Zaun.

There had been many hostilities growing between Zaun, the land that thrived with suppressed mystical creatures and Piltover, the land where the perfect human hybrids dwelt. Zaun had been shunned by Piltover for years, it's crime was being a breeding ground for monsters and beasts. There were stories that spread about the people of Zaun, nightmare fuel about monsters that preyed on little children and could rid men of their souls with one look. Zaun was different from Piltover, different from the city of flawless and perfect hybrids. Piltovians were a perfect blend of the mythical and human, so it was said that they retained their humanity unlike the monsters of Zaun and they were chosen to govern over the people of the dark. So it was that Zaun had been pushed back, a race of people banished to rot in the darkness forever and for years that was how things stayed until....the war.

Many...slaughtered. Jayce had never lived a life exposed to chaos and violence until that day. There had been more blood shed that he had ever seen, more death, more suffering. It had been a day when the nightmares he'd believed to be only stories had come true.

Fortunately, his mother had been able to get on one of the first few escape boats that had begun to board before the war was in full swing.
She'd beckoned him to stay with her but....he couldn't. He had to try to save Caitlyn.

His best friend was from a high noble house. Despite best efforts to get her out of danger, she hadn't been able to sneak away from Piltover before the war started.

No. That wasn't true.
Jayce knew Caitlyn.
She hadn't gotten away because she didn't want to.

Caitlyn was not the type to run when she was supposed to. That was why he'd gone back for her, hoping that she'd come if he begged her.
It had been a hopeless cause. Her home was already surrounded.

He remembered screaming her name just for confirmation that she was alive. She'd screamed back and he'd tried. He'd tried everything to get to her; pushing away the men around him to save her. Dare he say, she'd almost sounded scared and he couldn't stand that.
Despite his best efforts, he was a lone man fighting against a dozen powerful vengeful Zaunites.
Needless to say, he got knocked out pretty fast.

Where many had been killed, some had been kept alive. People like him. People who'd been deemed useful to at least make a pretty coin in the black markets. He'd been dragged all over for a decent amount of time to the point that he couldn't remember what it felt like to live a normal life.

At first he'd fought. The first few months, he'd struggled to escape. Tried to voice his opinion and pleas, but those were soon beaten out of him along with his will to fight. He was a slave now and it was something he'd been forced to come to terms with.

He stood hours under the sun with many others, his arms and legs clamped with heavy chains of metal and iron. They'd barred his freedom ever since the war started and ended. Zaun had of course won in an earth shattering defeat.

Piltovians who remained free, the common hybrids of Piltover, payed tax to their new strict but fair Zaun leaders in order to be left alone. It was more grace than Jayce had expected from the people he'd been told were monsters. He'd thought that the Zaunites would kill everyone. However, by some grace, and as long as they could pay tax, a few Piltovians were allowed to live in peace. Those who failed to pay, and those who'd survived the fight in the war, lived as slaves.

Slaves were considered to be spoils of war. There was after all no benefit of liberating them when they could be put to better use in mines, doing work Zaunites considered too dangerous or high risk, or sometimes used as items of pleasure.
Jayce had heard Zaunites had suffered the same fate, that this was vengeance long overdue, but was it really revenge when he saw children even younger than he was being passed around, paying for someone else's wrongs. He himself had never hurt any of the Zaunties, but that's how it was with war. When a nation went down, all its people went down with it.

"Slave 676."
He was up again.
Jayce stepped forward, already knowing the process, standing taller but refusing to lift his eyes from the floor. He couldn't stand the way the gathered crowd always looked at him. Their eyes raking over him like he was just another pound of flesh to be devoured. Like he had no feelings or emotions.

It was his second year up at the bargaining market. He wasn't being sold from lack of trying, he could say that much. His owners, greedy literal goblins that they were, refused to sell him anyone they felt couldn't 'afford' him.
They sold others for less but always refused to let him go. Jayce couldn't decide if it was because they detested the idea of selling him for a small amount when they'd gotten him for free, or perhaps they just liked all the work he did around their place.

He was a dexterous person, raised by a single mother, he had many talents when it came to keeping a home. Cooking, sweeping, washing, cleaning. Days working at the forge paid off when something needed to be scrubbed extra hard. Lately, his owners had started using his mouth for other purposes.... Purposes that had him cry himself to sleep every night.
It was humiliating being put on display before thousand of eyes. Hands touching him, raising his chin for the buyers to get a good look at him as they listed out his 'talents', virgin being one of them.

He'd cried silently one time on display and everyone in the gathered crowd laughed at him. They'd pelted him with fruits which made him break down even more until his owners pulled him away.
He'd been scolded and denied food for crying. They said showing weakness made him undesirable to the buyers. It hadn't been his choice to live as a slave but he was punished anyway, just like the others around him.

He'd shared a cage once with an old woman that sang a little nursery rhyme of her youth that helped him fall asleep. She was sold the next day as someone's maid for cheap. The owners likely felt paying for her upkeep more trouble than it was worth. Jayce thought it was a shame. He missed her songs, as they reminded him of his mother.

Jayce had no properties as a slave and was allowed no clothes just like the others around him. At best they let him have pants from time to time, but for some reason no one touched his heirloom necklace with the Talis symbol on the pendant. He'd been worried at first that they'd take it from him and sell it but apparently him being from a noble house, even a lower one, was part of the appeal. He was at least grateful for that. The warm gold chain hanging on his chest was the last keepsake he had of his family, of his mother. He hoped she was well.

"Slave 676."

Jayce dragged his feet as he stepped forward again. Two years was a really long time. So many had come and gone that he'd started losing hope of ever being sold. There was no way that anyone would want him, even if he was a virgin. The slavers would never sell him. They liked him too much. The longer he remained with them the more he felt he wouldn't be a virgin for long. He'd already accepted the grim hand that fate had dealt him so he wasn't going to cry anymore.
Long drawn out afternoons like this were just....extra exhausting.

His mind zoned out as the bidding started. There were a lot of high prices today. Perhaps some nobles had come to the market.
Jayce desperately wanted to escape his owners but he didn't know if nobles were any better. He could end up as anything in a noble's court. If he ended up in the workforce he'd be lucky. He had the body for it. Even if it was his fate to die in the darkness of the mines, he would take that over another night at the mercy of his cruel masters. He prayed someone would think like he did and put him there. That someone...anyone at all would have mercy on him. That some deity somewhere would spare him any more humiliation.

Please let someone buy me.
Jayce closed his eyes, even his prayers lacked hope.
Please let someone....want me.

"SOLD!!!"

The words didn't register in Jayce's ears. When a hand came upon him he prepped to join the other unsold slaves standing at the side but the hand tightened on his neck and shoved him forward.

"Where do you think you're going boy?" The mocking voice of one of his owners hissed. "Your dreams has finally come true."
"What?"

Jayce blinked twice, his vision clearing slowly as he looked at the man in confusion but he was pushed forward again. Pushed towards a tall man who surveyed him with slight disinterest, like he unimpressed but accepting.

Jayce gulped looking back to the owners fearfully, then back at the man, before he realised that his chains were being undone.
Jayce stared in disbelief as the chain on his legs were given more room for walking allowance, and the chains that wrapped around his hands were passed to the stranger before him.

"Seems someone was able to afford you. Ain't that something kid?" His owner laughed and raised a hefty bag of gold.

Jayce stared at the bag, something in his heart slowly shifting, then he turned to the new man who had his chains in realisation.

Sold.

He'd been sold.

He'd actually.....

Jayce felt something get caught him his throat and he stared at the man, struggling to hold back tears. He didn't want to jinx this so he lowered his head, shoulders trembling with emotion. He didn't know why he wanted to thank this man. He didn't even know what he wanted from him.
He could wish to turn him over to some cannibals for all Jayce knew but somehow he didn't care. Even death was better than spending another night in that cold cell with cold hands all over him, taking, demanding, making requests that he could not refuse.

"Come," the man said in a raspy whisper-like voice. He jerked the chains and Jayce responded immediately, following after him as fast as he could.
He didn't know if he was to say anything so he kept silent, feet moving as he was taken further into town. He couldn't believe that he had actually been sold.

Was he a noble?
He didn't seem to be. Walking in the hot sun with no carriage in sight. Yet he'd bought a slave. A young healthy expensive slave. Paid handsomely and in gold.
Who was he? How had he afforded him? Jayce wanted to ask so many questions.

"M-Master," he said hesitantly, his face flushing as he didn't want to offend the man. "W-where are we going?"
He didn't expect an answer in truth. He just wanted to know that he'd tried to ask. It was all so curious, following after the man who pulled him along.

"We are going to my place," the man replied and Jayce perked up.
A reply.
"Your place?"
"Yes," the man said.
"Are we walking there?" Jayce asked slowly. He didn't want to bombard the man with too many questions.
"No."
"Oh?"
Would they take a carriage then? Jayce had been shuffling after him for a while, his chains clattering with every move he made. It was a given that people were drawn to looking at him but he didn't really mind. Not right now. Not when he'd discovered a new sort of life. He didn't know if it would be worse yet but it was something new, and he'd be damned if he didn't let himself be happy about it.

"What is your name boy?" The stranger asked being the first to speak this time.
"Jayce T..." He stopped himself from adding his last name. He was a nameless pile of shit now, according the goblins who'd owned him before. He had no use for it.
His master turned slightly in question at his clear hesitation and Jayce lowered his head in shame.
"I'm Jayce. Just... Jayce," he said softly feeling something die inside him. Perhaps he could think of it as shedding an old skin and wearing a new one. One that was needed to survive.

His Master acknowledged his name with a nod.
"I was told you were obedient, Jayce."
"I am," Jayce said immediately.
He'd found just doing as he was told saved him a lot of pain and trouble. Whatever it was his Master wanted him to do, he'd do it. He just hoped he wouldn't have to do something cruel like...killing children or anything like that.

"Then, follow me silently for now. I don't want you making a single sound. Do you understand?" the man asked.
Jayce nodded then remembered the man was walking in front of him.
"Yes, Master," he said and the man seemed content with that reply.
"Good boy," he said and Jayce pinked. He looked down shyly and followed the man silently.

"I am Singed by the way," Singed said belatedly. He glanced back at Jayce who smiled and nodded in acknowledgement of the name.
Singed found it amusing that Jayce was staying silent because of his command. He smiled a little and that made Jayce even happier.
The slave followed his new Master into the forest and off the normal road. Jayce found that curious but he didn't ask. After all, he'd been told not to say anything. So he followed after Singed obediently. They just went deeper and deeper into the forest and Jayce felt a worried sense of foreboding that something was going to attack them. Still, he followed silently.

At some point Singed just stopped and Jayce nearly walked into him.
"I'm sorry-" Jayce bit his tongue and winced at speaking when he'd been told to be silent, but Singed didn't seem to mind.
Now in the middle of the forest, he clapped his hands and waited.

Jayce looked around curious about what would happen. He suspected that Singed was a wizard of sorts. Not long after he clapped, the forest began to tremble.
Jayce tensed, looking round in fear, his worry that something would come to devour him heightening by the second. He gulped body shrinking into itself as trees began to bend and shift out of the way, making room for the approaching creature.
A heavy pink claw was the first thing to come into view, dragging with it the giant body of a waverider dragon.

Jayce gaped, his mouth nearly hitting the floor as he hadn't ever seen one before. He'd only heard of them in text. The beast was gorgeous.
Her beautiful scales shining a light pink with purple ridges down her back scales. Her big flat paw like claws, her flat adorable face and really big innocent eyes. Jayce was taken by wonderment and awe. He didn't even notice his master watching him in amusement.

"Step forward," he commanded.
"What?" Jayce asked confused, even as he did as he was told.
"This is Rio," Singed explained and he pet her head gently. She let out such a sweet purring noise that Jayce so badly wanted to pet her too. "A little wary around strangers."

Jayce realised he was a stranger and approached slowly. The dragon watched him, wings curled against her back as she eyed his approach. She had nothing to fear from him. She was bigger and he was tied up, he just didn't know if she realised that.
He noticed there was a saddle on her back and he gasped in amazed realisation that he was going to ride a dragon.

"Is she yours Master?" Jayce asked excited.
"Yes," Singed replied as he climbed easily into the saddle. Rio had crouched to make it easier. "She is going to take us home. Now I'm going to need you to wear this."
Jayce looked up and froze in surprise at Singed presenting him with a big brown sack.

"A... A sack sir?" Jayce stared bewildered.
"Yes," Singed said and without further ado drew it over Jayce's head. He let out a little squack of alarm but didn't struggle.
"It's just until I get those chains off," Singed muttered and somehow his Master, though being scrawny and small, was able to haul him from the ground, into the saddle like he was a sack of potatoes.

Jayce's first dragon ride did not go as he expected, stuck inside a sack as Rio took off towards Singed's home in the hills.
Singed said he preferred to live in a place where Rio could have room to play around.

Apparently, Rio had been teething around the time Jayce's caravan had come to town. Singed had gotten a lot of money for the baby dragon teeth he'd sold, so he decided to take the plunge and buy someone to help around the place.
Jayce had been bought entirely on a whim and, as crazy as it sounded, he was grateful for it. For the next eight years after that, he worked diligently as Singed's slave, assistant and apprentice.

Just as he expected, Singed was a wizard. A powerful mage to be exact.
He made and provided certain items that were rare to find. These items were mostly illegal and most of his customers were nobles so Singed had a lot of business to keep Jayce busy.

He'd started small, upon being bought, with chores like cleaning the house, making breakfast, feeding and caring for Rio. Caring for Rio was Jayce's favourite part of working for Singed. It took just two days of feeding before she got used to him. She loved to play, though a lot of her playing involved pouncing on him. After a while she even let him ride her, sans saddle. Those were the best moments of Jayce's life, hooting while Rio spun in the air, showing off her air gymnastics. There were times that Jayce wouldn't even bother sleeping in his room and would just curl up beside Rio and sleep in her nest.
No matter how battered or bruised he got, Singed never scolded him for playing with Rio, so Jayce played as much as he could.

As time went on, his work upgraded and he started helping Singed with his work. Part of his selling point had been that he'd grown up in a house of blacksmiths so Singed put him to work in anything that came in for repairs.
Broken carriages, artifacts, machines, sometimes even items of magic. Jayce would study them carefully and fix them.

He was a very fast learner so though he stumbled a lot, he soon got a hang of many things. He liked to think that he was greatly helping business boom. Singed even got him a small forge he could use for personal projects and boy did Jayce explore. He'd always been fascinated by scientific works. As he was just a slave, he was hesitant at first about starting projects on his own. When Singed caught him fiddling with magic unsupervised Jayce thought he was in big trouble and immediately fell to his knees in apology.
To his great surprise, Singed didn't mind. He was actually interested in Jayce creating his own independent works.

Jayce was elated and worked twice as hard for Singed so he'd have more time for his personal projects. He invented some things himself, little gem stones called hex orbs which could power magical items and weapons. Singed learned how to make them but he left Jayce to study them independently, pushing the barriers of his own knowledge to learn more.

Singed was his Master but Jayce grew to learn that he was a kind man, though he had a round about way of showing it.
He didn't have soft words or warm hugs, but. Jayce would find a cloth draped over him when he fell asleep in the workshop or warm food set out for him when he worked too long without a break. In time, Jayce felt he could see Singed as less of an owner and more of...a father to both him and Rio who he'd been raising since she was a little hatchling.
Having only had childhood memories of his father, it wasn't hard to slide Singed into that persona.

He was nothing like Jayce's father had been. Not warm or gentle, or full of laughs, but he'd saved Jayce from a life of hell and to Jayce that was more than enough. Singed taught him everything he wanted to know, never holding knowledge back from his slave unless it was client confidential information. He treated Jayce mostly like he was an equal. The only thing giving him away as a slave was the red collar he wore around his neck, similar to one that Rio wore, marking them as owned with dog tags attached, stating Singed's name and address.

Jayce had wound his Talis necklace around the collar so it wouldn't stand out so much. He'd been worried the first time Singed asked about it, but showed it to him without hesitation. It was made of pure gold, one of the few remaining gold owned by the Talis Household. Jayce had been prepared to lose it when Singed took it. He'd let go of his family name so he might not deserve to wear his family crest.

"You're from a noble household?" Singed asked curiously.
"Was," Jayce said softly, eyes turned down in pain. "Lower house. Small house. We just had the forge and the....hammer business."
"Noble blacksmith family," Singed said intrigued. He handed the chain back, much to Jayce's surprise. He took it carefully, then looked to Singed for direction. "Do you want me...to dispose of it?" He gulped.
"Do you want to?" Singed asked.
"No," Jayce said honestly and Singed shrugged. "Then keep it on."
He said nothing more about the heirloom after that and Jayce gratefully kept it on.

Jayce didn't think of the future while he was with Singed, though sometimes he thought of the past.

He thought of his mother, of Caitlyn. He regretted not being fast enough or strong enough to save her. Perhaps thoughts like that were what drove him to invent powerful tools that could be sold to heroes or the Lords that patronised Singed's items. He wanted to make sure that no one else would be as weak as he had been when Caitlyn had needed him the most. Worst case scenario was that his friend was dead now. Best case scenario was that she had escaped and was reunited with his mother far away, somewhere no one could ever hurt them.
They probably thought he was dead.
It made him sad but he hoped that the thoughts of his death brought them peace. Things would be worse if they came looking for him, trying to find him. They never would and would likely end up as slaves too.

Jayce thought of that old woman he'd been caged with and how she'd sang songs to commemorate her dying days of freedom. He didn't want his mum to ever live like that. So he said a silent goodbye to the people he loved and worked hard for Singed, because this was his future now and it wasn't as bad as he thought it would be. He didn't mind dedicating the rest of his life to science...and Rio of course.

Because of the remote location of Singed's home, the only people who came this way, would come intentionally to see Singed and purchase his wares. When the occasional Lord or Lady passed by, Jayce could remain in the shop and help with the order.
On days when Singed greeted noble guests, specifically the ones that came from the palace, he would send Jayce upstairs and have him stay there till the guests were gone.

Jayce guessed it had something to do with his Talis crest. He happily stayed out of sight of the nobles, not wanting to put his life or his Master's life in danger. He tucked the pendant inside his shirt and drew the collar tight just to make sure that it would forever be hidden from sight while pressed close to his heart. Jayce had imagined that he'd spend the rest of his life working for Singed and he was okay with that.
But after those eight years, something changed.

The first indication, though Jayce didn't realise during that time, the first indication that something shifted was walking in on Singed reading through an invitation.
It was stamped by a Zaun house seal so Jayce knew it had to be important, yet the envelope was decorative so it seemed to mark an occasion.

Interesting.

His Master was mostly a hermit and barely ever went anywhere, he didn't even go shopping. Jayce handled shopping. He'd become rather popular among the marketers, despite how much they hated Pilties, and they sometimes cut the price of goods for him. It was great market.
However, this was no invitation to a market. It in fact seemed like a celebration.

"What's the occasion?" Jayce grinned as he stepped in, announcing his arrival so Singed would know he was there.
The thin mage just humphed and set the card down before going back to his brew of his most famed potion, shimmer.
"A wedding invitation."

"Really? A wedding?" Jayce gasped his eyes sparkling. "That's amazing."
He didn't remember the last time he'd been to a wedding. He must have been so young. After the war, the only weddings he ever saw were from afar. It was a bit of a shame that he'd never have one but at least he had a life. That was something.

"Are you going to go?" Jayce asked excited. He mentally ran through the items he knew Singed had in his closet. His Master didn't go out for occasions but he did have a few fancy cloaks for important palace appearances when his help was required.
"I can help wash your cloak..."
"I'm not going," Singed muttered and Jayce gaped at him.

"Oh but why not Master. This might be the last wedding you ever get invited to," Jayce joked with a small worried smile.
"Just say you want to go and stop whining," Singed muttered and Jayce flushed.
Yeah he really, really wanted to go, but he had nothing to wear and would feel out of place at such an event. Especially for a Zaun noble.

"Oh no, I could never," Jayce said quickly and shook his head. He was ready to drop the conversation but he was curious.
"You're really not going?" Jayce asked again and Singed hummed, drumming his fingers in the table.
"Important work to do here. Weddings are frivolous festivals. No time," Singed said. "Much work to be done."

"Okay Master," Jayce sighed. "I was hoping you'd at least go to catch the bouquet."
That brought a small smile out of Singed and he looked at Jayce as if marvelling at him.
Jayce excitedly grinned back and Singed shook his head. "I'm doubling your work load."
"Master?" Jayce gasped dramatically.
"You have too much time if you have time to smile," Singed hummed playfully and Jayce laughed at his words.
He vowed never to laugh again but they both knew he was fooling no one. Jayce got back to work and Singed shoved the wedding invitation back into the drawer, speaking no word of it again.

A few months passed after that and the invitation became an easily forgotten memory. Jayce went on with his happy life, satisfied with the way he lived and the people he lived around, until that rainy night when a carriage broke down quite close to their home.

As stated before, it was rare for people to pass by the area Singed lived in. Anyone ending up anywhere near them had come by intentionally. Apparently some member of a high noble family had been foraging in the woods for magic mushrooms or something. Their carriage crashed during the journey through the rocky hills and they came to his Master for help.
Jayce had been out, covering up Rio's nest so she wouldn't be bothered by the rain.
He'd been outside so when he came back home....there was a stranger sitting at Singed's table.

This stranger was the most beautiful woman Jayce had ever laid his eyes on. She was so gorgeous that he quickly looked away, concerned that it was illegal for a slave like him to possibly meet her golden gaze. He'd never seen anyone like her.

Her ebony skin glowed like she'd been carved out of a beautiful dark diamond, her form spotless, emphasized by the pristine white dress she wore. Her dark braided hair was styled perfectly on her head, not a strand out of place, her face soft perfect curves, not a sharp line to be seen. Everything about this being was perfect, he didn't need to be told to know she was a noble of great status.
Jayce made the mistake of meeting her eyes, as he'd startled her when he came in. The gold within them were highlighted by the gold flecks on her cheeks and he turned his face away quickly, with a blush on his cheeks.

Jayce mumbled a quick greeting and made to escape immediately but Singed raised a hand to make him pause.
"Jayce," he said.
"Master?" he stopped surprised. He usually wasn't allowed in the presence of Nobles.

"Your assistance is required for this job. The carriage has a broken wheel and it is cold outside. You will replace it?" Singed said.
He'd asked like it was a question.
Jayce frowned confused but agreed immediately.
"Of course."

It was indeed very windy outside. He wouldn't want his Master to catch a cold. Singed wasn't frail but he didn't amass enough body heat to withstand such harsh weather. "Where is the carriage located?"
"Just beyond the hill," the Noble woman replied and Jayce flushed because he'd expected Singed to reply.
He didn't want it to seem like he was commanding her. He lowered his gaze apologetically and the woman let out a small amused chuckle.
"I can show you where it is."

"The weather is too harsh my lady," Jayce said quickly. "I can do this. I can find the carriage on my own."
"The rain has all but died down," the Noble insisted with a small smile. "I am not so frail to be pushed around by the weather....or a slave." She said the last part pointedly and Jayce lowered in a bow.
"Forgive me," he said quickly, panic setting in.

"It's fine," she said amused and took up a black umbrella he hadn't noticed before. It was huge.
"Besides, my servant is waiting by the carriage. Let's not leave her by herself. Be a dear and bring your tools. I want this done quickly before my husband misses me."
"Of course your highness," Jayce bowed again and rushed to get his tools.
It wasn't his first time working on materials owned by Nobility. He worked on them all the time, performing minor fixes that Singed couldn't be bothered with. Sometimes he'd go out of his way to improve a faulty design just so that it wouldn't break again.

Jayce was amazed by the carriage he was led to. The body painted gold while the wheels were as black as the night. It was gorgeous with symbols drawn over them. He didn't recognise these symbols, though he'd been studying, learning the crest of each noble family and what it meant.

He'd mastered the royal family's crest easily, two rings, outer ring red, inner ring purple, drawn around a blue tear drop. They were Singed's major customers so mastering their seal had been easy.
There was the seal from the Noble house of Time, a simple diagram, a watch with hands of the clock as skateboards. The Sevika Nobles used the mark of a fisted gauntlet, the Renata family had dark wings wrapped a giant egg, the Family of Finn, a crest formed of three flames. Jayce recognised their marks well.

But the marks on the carriage were foreign. A customer that they'd never had before. A crest with a staff that ended in three spikes that held up a circle of sorts.
The Noble lady noticed Jayce staring and remarked on it.

"A gift from my husband," she said and Jayce floundered in embarrassment, realising he was wasting her time. As she'd said, the rain had dwindled to a simple drizzle till there was barely any left. Jayce got to work immediately, awestruck by the magnificence of the design.

There were barely any flaws, both the carriage and the wheels joined together by hardened steel. The part that connected the steel seemed to have worn out. Jayce blamed reckless driving.

"How did this come off?" he asked glancing just once at the Noble as he worked. Again he didn't expect to be answered.
Another woman alighted from the carriage as he worked. There was no one else aboard so he suspected she was the driver.

"We took a difficult path," the other lady admitted. She contrasted greatly with the Noble she worked for. Pale skin, gentle features, almost reminded him of his mother.
He'd suspected it would be careless driving.

"You should be more careful," he said as he welded a stronger wheel to the carriage, raising his welding mask to survey his work before putting it back on.
"Don't stand too close. I don't want you to get hurt."

"Nice of you to go through all the trouble," the Noble lady said with amusement in her tone. Jayce wondered if she was mocking him.
"It's my job."
"I meant caring," she said wryly and watched Jayce work, focused on everything he did. He thought she was worried he'd try to rob them. She should have no fear there, he had everything he needed at Singed's place.
Still, this vehicle was amazing.

"There should be no reason for there to be faults with this a second time," he said after fixing the wheel. To be sure it was safe he pulled the carriage along by hand, after disconnecting the horses to be sure it would ride smoothly. The Noble lady was impressed.

"You're stronger than you look," she said admiring the smooth run of the carriage as well as his strength. She stepped forward to take a closer look. "And your work is flawless."
"I wouldn't say completely, M-My Lady." He stumbled over what to call her since he didn't usually speak to their customers. He bowed his head respectfully and stopped the carriage.

He was rather proud of his work and hoped it lasted as long as the original. He also hoped the original designer wasn't insulted by his little adjustment. The carriage was a masterpiece, a work of art, how perfectly it shone, just like it's rider.
"Your carriage is gorgeous," he couldn't stop himself from saying.
"So are you," the Noble woman smiled wryly and Jayce felt his voice catch in his throat as his face flushed a deep red.

He looked away abashed, unused to compliments like that so he didn't know how to react to that.
It had come out of nowhere.
He couldn't believe a goddess this beautiful thought that he was...
"Th-thank you," he said with a small shy smile and hurried to finish the job. He felt so embarrassed now.

After cleaning up and reclaiming his work tools, all that was left was payment for the work done. He left Singed to handle that while he retreated to his room. Nearly ran there so he could bury his face in his hands and squeal a little.

"She thinks I'm beautiful," he said to his pillow with a small pleased laugh and fell on the bed, covering his face with his hands.
She looked like an angel. He didn't know if he'd ever see her again. He hoped she stopped by more. Oh, but she was married.

Jayce straightened up real fast.
What was he thinking?
Even if she wasn't married she was a noble and he was a slave. This was no fairytale. Besides, he'd be a laughing stock at court. A fallen hybrid from a disgraced lower family. No, no, no, he couldn't let himself dream of impossible things.

Still Jayce couldn't stop from kicking his legs in glee, as he clutched the pillow to his chest.
'She thinks I'm pretty.'
That much was enough. That thought was enough to power him through at least eight more years of work. Battered and bruised as he was, someone who looked like she'd been carved from the word 'beauty' itself, had called him beautiful.

He was still giggling when Singed came up to see him and he fixed himself quickly.
"Master," he smiled, sitting up and ready to attend. "How was the work? Was the customer satisfied?"
"Very," Singed remarked and Jayce beamed. She liked it.
"Has she gone now?" he asked curiously as he watched Singed sort of just stand there. Master seemed occupied with thoughts.

"Not just yet. The customer has acquired a product that needs to be taken to her carriage," Singed said.
"I can do that," Jayce said with a smile. "What has she bought?"
"You," Singed said and finally met Jayce's gaze.

There was no guilt in his Master's eyes. No hesitation. No rage. Singed was his usual monotone self, perhaps that was why.... Jayce didn't catch on so fast.
It was more of a shock than even the compliment because he couldn't process.

"Me?" Jayce said softly with a small laugh, because he was so sure, so sure that Master was joking or that he hadn't finished his sentence.
"Me what?" Jayce asked curiously and cocked his head as he waited for more information. Anything that would get rid of the weird cold feeling that had started in his chest.
Was that.... fear?

Singed was never one to beat around the bush.
"You Jayce," his Master said in a matter-of-fact way like he'd just sold off a chair. "You have been sold, and your new Master is waiting for you in her carriage."

"What?" Jayce asked his voice so very small. Eyes widened in disbelief and his mouth fell open....and stayed open.
"Y-you can't be serious," he said with a confused frown. He broke into a smile again, shaking his head as he got to his feet. "It. It almost sounds like...."
"You've been sold?" Singed asked with a huff. "You have Jayce, and you're making your new Master wait."

No.
Jayce felt his mouth go dry.
He stepped back, stepped back so he could take another look at Singed, search his Master's eyes desperately for jest. For the sign that Singed was just pulling on his leg and trying to make a fool of him.
It had...been eight years.

"I don't... understand," Jayce said slowly his voice... beginning to shake.
"And here I thought you'd become a skilled spokesman," Singed muttered.
"I.... I've worked for you for eight years," Jayce said his voice cracking now. It had suddenly become harder to breathe. His chest closing up, his lungs felt tight. He couldn't find air and he was.....crying.
Tears came to his eyes and he could not stop them, because his Master had just told him, out of the blue, that he wasn't wanted any more.

"Please," Jayce begged and fell to his knees.
"Jayce, you'll damage your trousers," Singed scolded but Jayce couldn't care less. He grasped at Singed's trousers desperately, his hands beginning to tremble.
"Please, if I did anything wrong. If I've hurt you. If I've offended you," he begged with tears running down his cheeks, as he tried to think of a way he had erred, his chest heaving as he took breath after difficult breath.
"I tried my best with the carriage, Master. I... I'm sorry," he begged, pressing his palms together in plea. "I'll do better I swear. If I've disappointed you punish me. I can take it. Just please don't send me away."

"You've done nothing wrong, Jayce," Singed said softly.
"Then please," Jayce cried, sobbing heavily.
He was scared.
"Don't make me leave you," he begged, his teeth biting his lower lip in fear.
He didn't know who this woman was. He didn't know what her slaves were treated like. He didn't know what she wanted. He'd lived what felt like his whole life under Singed. He'd grown in eight years and tried his best to become, if not a man, then a slave that Singed could be proud of.

"Business has been slow of late and she's offered good money," Singed said in such a clipped tone that it drove an emotional dagger even deeper into Jayce's heart. He gasped for air, releasing his hold on Singed to place his hands on his chest desperately.

"I can work harder. I can," he nodded desperately, with each heaving breath he took. "Please, I... I'll stop sleeping." He was making wild promises now out of desperation. He could work tirelessly in the forge. He'd done it once or twice. He could do it forever.
"I won't eat as much of your food. I'll grow my own. I'll pick up farming. You know I'll be excellent at it. I'll hunt game for Rio."
"She can hunt her own food," Singed said.
"Then please," Jayce sobbed, breaking down again, he fell to his hands and cried. He wanted to scream.
"Why?" he whimpered, pleading with Singed, begging him not to let go. "Please."

"Jayce." Singed tsked and pulled a handkerchief off the table. He handed it to Jayce. "Don't cry. You'll spoil your face."
At this point Jayce hated his face!
She'd called him beautiful. It sounded like a curse now.
"Please don't let her take me," he sobbed as his body trembled, reaching out to hold tightly to Singed's foot. He didn't understand, he didn't understand why this was happening? How could he be so unlucky? Had the world deemed him too happy? Did the universe need him in pain?
He could only imagine what he'd be used for and he was terrified. Eight years ago he'd escaped that abuse and now...
"Whip me, torture me, do anything to me but please," he begged.

"You are being unreasonable now," Singed scowled at Jayce's suggestions, his tone going harsh as he glared down at him. "Do not forget your place as a slave."

"But father," Jayce's voice cracked again and both their eyes widened in realisation of what he'd just said.
Jayce slapped a hand over his mouth in horror, shaking his head desperately, scared that he'd made things worse.
"No, no, Master," he corrected quickly, desperately, it all felt too late. He was scared he'd ruined everything and sealed his fate. "Master please," he begged tears still falling from his eyes, some getting caught in his eyelashes as he pressed his hands together again as he begged for mercy. Looking to Singed for understanding, for hope.
"Please."

Something, the smallest of somethings, seemed to shift in his Master after that plea.
Singed lowered himself, very slowly, in a crouch so he could be eye level with his kneeling slave.
Jayce's lips trembled and he begged with the biggest puppy dog eyes he had. He knew Singed held unknown powers that made him so immune and so indifferent to everyone around him but surely, surely even if he considered him as just property, surely some part of him acknowledged how useful he was.
Was Jayce really so insignificant that he could be replaced by a bag of coin? Was that how things really were? Was this the true meaning of his life?

"Business IS slow Jayce," Singed said softly and wiped away the tears on his face with a handkerchief. Jayce leaned into the touch with a whimper and Singed let him, stroking a soothing hand through his hair.
"No amount of punishing yourself will change that," Singed went on with a sigh. "I'm putting you to better work."

"With her?" Jayce asked confused and scared. "She is a noble." He did not understand. He sought understanding from Singed.
"As you might have guessed, one that doesn't come around here often," Singed pointed out.
Jayce had in fact noticed. He lowered his gaze considering Singed's words and wondering what that had to do with him.

"You're going to a new court, so what I'm making here is an investment," Singed went on, speaking very carefully because he wanted Jayce to follow.
"Advertise our wares to the nobles you see there. Make it convincing," Singed instructed as he cupped Jayce's face with one hand, pulling his attention to him.
"You'd do anything for me wouldn't you?"
"Anything," Jayce said immediately. He was devoted to the man that saved his life. Singed could look into his eyes and find nothing but loyalty.

"Then do this," Singed said softly and pet Jayce's cheek gently, the other leaning into that touch as well. Singed's hand lingered on his face, it felt the longest his Master had ever touched him.
"Be a good obedient slave and go with her. Market our business like your life depends on it. Make it grow."
As he spoke, Jayce met his gaze, understanding now that it was indeed some sort of investment. He wasn't just going as a slave but as a voice for their work.

Singed gruffed now that he got it and ruffled his hair.
"If business booms again, then who knows, I'll make enough money to buy you back," Singed leaned forward slowly. "Do you understand? Do you understand what you have to do?"
Jayce nodded in understanding though a few tears still fell down his eyes. Singed wiped them off gently.
"Then you'll go?" Singed asked and Jayce nodded again, this time more determined than before. He met Singed's gaze again and Singed found a resolve in his eyes that satisfied him.

"Good boy," Singed said and pulled to his feet. "You'll be fine. Go now. Pack your things and clean your face. We can't keep your new Master waiting."
Jayce, still on his knees, lowered his head in silent pain but understanding.
"Yes, Master," he said.
"It's Singed now," the mage said and gently unbuckled the red collar from Jayce's neck.
Jayce felt naked without it, his Talis chain falling free, a heavy weight against his chest.
A part of his heart broke knowing he'd received what could possibly be the last order from his former Master.

"Will I ever see you again?" he asked softly, begging for hope that he could cling to. Hope that this would not be the last time.

However, Singed did not meet his eyes.
His former Master turned away and said just one thing as he headed down the stairs.
"Let's hope so."

Jayce felt more fear and uncertainty flood his heart.

Chapter Text

"You understand why this must be done?"

"Of course I do mother."
Mel had known since she was a little girl what her role was going to be in her Kingdom. As the only daughter born to the Medarda line, a political marriage was only to be expected.

She was the princess of a proud race of Athenian demigods. Their blood flowed with power that made them more than just human, no, they weren't even human anymore. They were halfgod.
The Medarda line had been enriched with strength, power and wisdom like the goddess Athena herself, their only limitation the fact that they aged, albeit very slowly.

Mel was at the peak of her youth, when she was promised in marriage to a noble of the great Kingdom of Zaun.
He was of course no ordinary Noble for her mother to go as far as joining their kingdoms with her only daughter.

The Machine Herald was the most powerful and prosperous augmentation mage in all of Zaun.

"He is the greatest craftsman to exist, his creations making mockery of ancient Piltovian craftsmanship." Ambessa went on, her cape shining underneath the Noxian sunset's glow.
Mel had seen many a sunset in her kingdom, but she paid close attention to this one because it was to be her last. She didn't know if she'd ever see her home again, but even if she did, this would be her last sunset as a single woman.

"He is the start of a new era," her mother said. "An era of power, magic and......war."
It was always about war with her mother.
The truth was she coveted Zaun's Amory which was heavily built and overflowing with modified weapons and soldiers, strengthened by the Machine Herald's magic.
Very little was known about this mage but her mother had sent out a proposal for marriage anyway during her dealings with the Kings of Zaun.

She promised to prosper the foreign land with imports of hardened Noxian steel, one of the strongest known metals in all the world.
In exchange, they could benefit from the machine herald's creations and use it to prosper Noxus.

What better way to seal the deal than through marriage?

Considering neither had ever before met the Herald, as the mage was a hermit closed off to the world in his mighty manor, Mel hadn't expected much from the proposal and neither had her mother.
The Kings of Zaun had said they'd put the proposal into consideration but it all came down to whether or not the Machine Herald accepted the proposal. Many from Zaun already sought his hand in marriage and he was yet to accept any form of partner in his work or life.
Imagine their collective surprise when the answer to their proposal arrived with positive feedback.
The Herald had agreed to having Mel's hand in marriage.

Ambessa was overjoyed, though Mel suspected it had more to do with the steel than anything.

"United we shall form a front that will make Noxus great once more," Ambessa cheered and turned to Mel with pride in her eyes. How wonderful. For once her mother was proud of her and it was because of something she'd barely had a hand in.
"All you have to do is tie the knot."

"It will be done," Mel bowed in response to her mother's words, lowering her head in acceptance of her role.
Her mother's beam was one of pride as she gently lifted her daughter's chin.

"Of course it will," Ambessa said with pride. "How could anyone refuse you?"

*

Her husband had needed their iron. They had it in large supply to give, so of course the wedding had proceeded without a hassle.

He'd also needed suitors off his back.

A marriage was the perfect way to solve his problems and it solved hers.
She had finally gotten away from her mother.

Her freedom was not as awe inspiring as she would have liked. Mel had always wanted to see the world outside of Noxus. Zaun was indeed an intriguing place, populated by beasts of all kinds. She'd taken with her Elora to her husband's home.
Elora was her maid servant. While not possessing the goddess's blood, Elora was no push over just because she was human. She was trained as every one of the Medarda followers were in martial arts as well as other forms of craft that would make her forever useful to her mistress.

They had not known what to expect from the new world they were placed in but Mel was determined to be a good wife to her new husband.
She knew what was expected of her. The basics anyway.
She kept his house like a good wife would. Overseeing the servants, who were very few in number. They'd been wary of her at first but soon warmed up to her and followed her orders as they followed her husband's. She saw to it that their supplies never ran out, that the manor was spotlessly clean at all times. Operations went smoothly every day until soon she could run the whole place without having to say anything. She'd always had a natural talent for managerial positions.

Mel was also aware of her other duties to her husband, the ones that were supposed to be fulfilled in the bedroom and had built courage before leaving her country that no matter how it went, she would stand by his side and reassure him that he did a good job. She hoped that he would do a good job.
However, her husband barely ever touched her. He wasn't repelled by her, he just didn't touch her.
He didn't touch anyone.
He kept to himself.

On her initial arrival, he'd made it very clear that their marriage was a contract, no more, no less. He had no expectations of her and she aught to have no expectations of him besides fulfilling his end of the bargain, housing her and being hospitable to Noxus.

Her husband seemed to believe that he was giving her freedom.
He made it clear that she could do what she liked, go where she liked, even take as many lovers as she wanted. This was after all just a marriage of convenience.
He'd been tired of the Kings trying to set him up with people and she'd been tired of her mother.

The amount of freedom she'd ended up with was a little overwhelming, to the point that it almost felt cold.
Mel wasn't interested in lovers so she took none. She'd dwelt in her mother's court long enough to know there was nothing exciting about lovers or men who graced her bed. Because she could have anyone she wanted, she found herself wanting nothing.

Her husband was distant.
He spent more time working in the lab than he did in their matrimonial bed. Sometimes she would reach out to him and ask him to talk about his work.
That at least opened up some part of him that she could connect to.
He would share with her his troubles and encouraged her to do the same, but besides that they barely did much together as a couple. At best their relationship grew from acquaintances to cordial friends.

It was funny, slowly getting to know someone she was already married to.
She found her husband himself was hesitant, knowing he'd just married her for convenience, he'd allowed her a vast amount of freedom so she wouldn't feel caged or forced into something she didn't want.
Ironic because this marriage wasn't exactly something either of them wanted. It was just convenient and that usually was good enough for Nobles.

With so much time on her hands, Mel started getting up to seeing what else she could keep occupied with and found her husband's duties as a Noble. Ceremonial functions and a few state functions, none of which Viktor ever gave time to. He was more than happy to unload state affairs into her hands if it gave him more time in the lab.

As her mother had said, her husband's creations were renown far and wide. Many Nobles from other lands had sought him out. Many kings had tried to buy his services but his loyalty was always first and foremost to the Kings of Zaun. He'd refused other nobles politely, only choosing to share his work through sales to foreign kingdoms, but he refused to sell any weapons.
A wise choice Mel believed. Their weapons went only to Zaun's armed forces, and a few minor weapons to Noxus.

At first, Mel was elated to have something Viktor trusted in her care. Every night, when her husband came to bed - he'd had to fix his unhealthy late working schedule since she moved in as she had stated clearly that she hated laying on the bed by herself and had refused to get a concubine despite his encouragements.

At nights they would share the happenings of their day. Viktor sharing his achievements in the lab and Mel discussing politics.
Discussing work was probably the most fun they had together as a couple. As for ceremonial functions and parties, Viktor hated them all. If he did manage to drag himself out of their home to attend a function, he'd spend the rest of it skulking around in the dark or hiding in the shadows where there were no party conversations.
Viktor tried his best, he really did, but there was only so much he could do without internally combusting.

Knowing it would guilt Viktor the longer she stayed in the palace looking sad and bored, Mel found even more things to occupy herself with.
She travelled more with her handmaid, Elora, searching for some means of entertainment. Any at all.

Zaun was truly a magnificent world. It thrived with the Arcane. Magic flooded the atmosphere and filled the world with creatures big and small. There were giants and pixies and fairies. Beings of all shapes and sizes and talents. One would think in such a rich vast world that Mel would find at least something to enjoy, something to get attached to. Yet everything bored her pretty quickly.

She attempted keeping pets, she restarted her new hobby and painted enough pictures to open a small gallery in the palace.
Viktor suggested putting her paintings up in the Art Gallery of Zaun but Mel felt she needed to make way more than just ten paintings before she could put them up.
Besides, painting was just a hobby, she didn't need to profit off it.

She'd tried getting into things she'd never liked before. Like sewing, she hated that. Writing turned into a diary that seemed so sad when she reread it that she burnt the whole thing. Lord forbid Viktor finding that and thinking she was unhappy.

Mel took to sight seeing better.
There were always undiscovered plains around the Zaun countryside where new things could be found and Mel thrived off innovation. She loved to see beautiful things grow into something new. Like a garden, but instead of one that needed just water and sunlight, it could be something she could grow with wealth and love.
She wanted someone to love her.
She wanted someone to hold.
She was thinking she'd proven stubborn enough and might as well just get a prostitute at this point before things escalated and she attempted to jump her husband's bones.

It was during this dark time of dark thoughts that her and Elora had gotten lost in the woods.
Then she'd met....him.

She hadn't even known his name but she was captivated from the moment she laid eyes on him.

He was supposed to be nothing special. Just a slave working in the mountains for another of Zaun's infamous mages.
The water from the rain made his clothes cling to his body showing off the muscular build of a slave well taken care of. Had he just walked out in the rain with no umbrella? They was crazy.
His hair was perfect too. Dark as the night. No patches or split ends. He did well taking care of himself. Or perhaps that was kudos to his master.

When he raised his head, Mel had to work to keep her gasp from being audible. He was gorgeous, with sweet innocent bronze eyes that looked to her curiously, then his master, before lowering shyly, hands clasped in front of the other like he was scared of disrespecting her.
He should be, but she doubted that he knew who she was. The loudest she and Viktor had been about their marriage was the wedding. That was it.

A wedding Singed had been invited to but of course he didn't show up.
Viktor said his mentor was like that. She trusted the man this much simply because Viktor did, but she had found a new interest. An interest that grew more when she realised that Jayce was really good with his hands.

He was awestruck by Viktor's work, it was giving Mel a really fast idea that she couldn't push out of her mind.

Surely, Viktor would love him. She wasn't sure what her husband's taste was but she had a guess that he'd like Jayce. If not as a bed mate then at least a student. Viktor loved his work and Jayce loved Viktor's work, and she loved the work of Athena in Jayce's form. Someone say Amen!

It was just a gamble.
Mel wasn't sure how things would go.
Still, she had to try.
So she went out of the way to ask Singed how much for the boy.

"He's not for sale."
She was surprised...to encounter a road block.

"I'm sure I can offer you something?" Mel said surprised but she kept her tone cool so she could keep some form of control over the situation.
"Everything eventually has a price. Especially a slave," she smiled.

The Mage glanced up at her, unimpressed by her words. She hadn't anticipated that he would not be looking to sell. Then again, there was only one slave in his whole keep. Likely he didn't want to lose the man power.

"You seem to lack assistance around here. I can have it provided for you," she offered.
"I work better on my own," he grunted counting the coins she'd paid for the wheel Jayce had mended.
Greedy stingy little man. How could he keep such a fine specimen locked away in the middle of nowhere?
Viktor at least recognised that art should be appreciated and she wanted Jayce where he could be appreciated.

"Then surely the boy won't be missed," Mel replied cooly, since Singed had said he worked better on his own.
"I will pay a handsome price for him."

"Why the sudden interest?" Singed asked curiously as he spun a coin on the table. He hadn't glanced at her once, his eyes focused on his money.

"He looks worth the effort," Mel smirked.

"Hmph," Singed grunted still unimpressed but he straightened after a moment's thought, his hand glancing to her ring.
She looked down to her ring as well and frowned.
She was willing to pay well to own this slave but she was not giving up Viktor's ring. Even if this marriage was just a contract, he'd crafted it himself. Viktor left his affection around in small touches of his works, just like the carriage he'd given her. Mel was not going to give that up.

"A few extra hands will be fine, as well as how much you're willing to pay," Singed said to Mel's surprise.
Her eyes widened but she fixed her expression quickly so he wouldn't know she'd been caught off guard.
Singed had so suddenly changed his mind.
Interesting.

"Then we have a deal?" Mel smiled and Singed stretched out his hand for her money.
"It seems we do."

****

Jayce had no more tears cry when the carriage drove away from Singed's workshop.
He couldn't stop himself from glancing back at the place he'd called home for so long and realise that he might never see it again. He might even die.

He'd been living in a fantasy for such a long time that he'd forgotten what it meant to be a slave. This was his life. In the short time he'd spent under Singed, some other slaves had probably gone through fifteen different abusive masters. He aught to feel lucky about his fate.

His thumb brushed over his wrist, nudging gently at the ropes that now bound his hands.
He knew it wasn't necessary, he would come either way. He couldn't go back to a house where he was not accepted anymore.
Besides, he'd been given a very important task.

Jayce sat silently beside the woman who'd purchased him, relieved that he hadn't been tied to the carriage and forced to run after it. He'd seen that happen to certain slaves while he'd been at the market. It was scary to imagine living like that.
He'd been purchased by a noble. He aught to be happy. He could become a manservant.
Cleaning up after their parties, washing their clothes, all easy chores that he could do. He could make a life for himself there.
Except that he didn't want to.

His throat dried at the thought of never seeing Rio again but again his eyes were empty to tears. He'd bawled them all out in his room before coming down to face his new life.
He missed the comforting heavy weight of Singed's collar around his neck, a collar that had reminded him that he at least was loved as property. But even that was gone now. All that was left was the light weight of the Talis chain, resting underneath his shirt. His mother had said that it brought members of their family luck.

Perhaps.
Perhaps it had brought him luck, that day in the market when of all the slaves Singed had chosen to take him in. But he'd gotten greedy on that luck and now it had run out.
Karma had caught up and it was time to pay.

Jayce gulped, fighting away the negative thoughts to focus on the positive.
If he did the work Singed sent him to do, if he did it well then he could go back to him. Singed could buy him back.
Perhaps....perhaps if the royals hated him.....then they'd send him back and he....

No!
Jayce scowled.
He didn't dare do that. He'd promised Singed that he would be good. If he messed up this opportunity, when he was brought back, Singed would just sell him off again. Likely to someone worse as punishment.
He couldn't mess this up. His family was counting on him. Singed and Rio.

"You're a Piltovian slave?"

Jayce blinked slowly, glanced at his new master then looked away quickly. He didn't want to disrespect her.
It felt odd sitting in the same space as she was while the driver moved the carriage forward. He was actually rather proud of how smoothly the journey was going. So there'd been no hiccups after all.
This stranger was really pretty. He hadn't expected her to speak to him during the journey.

He'd fallen silent for so long that he actually forgot the question.
"Ah." Jayce panicked and wracked his head. It was much to early to start fucking up.
She'd asked if he'd come from Piltover.
"Yes," Jayce said with a happy smile. Happy that he'd remembered the question.
"Yes, I..." His smile dwindled when he realised how stupid he must look. Like he was happy about being a slave.
"I am a Piltovian slave."

Mel hummed and cocked her head curiously.
He shifted around a little under her gaze wondering what she'd ask next. He hoped that his origins weren't going to be problematic. Did his new master despise Piltovians?

"Your Master never mentioned your species," she finally said and Jayce blinked.
"Oh," he said.
It wasn't really one of his best selling points, not even the Goblins had been keen on voicing it when they'd sold him to Singed.

"What are you half of?" His new Master inquired and Jayce took a breath.
"Leprechaun," he said softly his cheeks burning slightly. Even as a free Piltovian child he'd been teased for that.

His new master looked stunned and he sighed internally cause that was the usual reaction.
Yeah, he wanted to say. I know.
He didn't look it, he didn't act it, his life didn't even seem to work out that way.

His new master didn't say anything for a while though. She seemed amused and grinned at his answer.
"Rather tall for a leprechaun," she smirked and he couldn't help a small smile at her words.
"I... I get that a lot," he said in a small voice. He knew she hadn't expected a reply but he couldn't help it. Singed had even teased him from time to time, calling him an overgrown imp.

His mother had been so convinced that he'd been born under a lucky star, especially after he won that scholarship under the Kirmammans.
She was wrong though.
The luck of the leprechauns had long since departed from their family, only showing up once in a while like when they'd invented the collapsible pocket wrench.

Of the hybrid community, their human side overpowered their monster side the most. That's why he grew so tall, that's why he didn't have any luck. He'd been unfortunate enough to exist during the time of a war. He was just glad his mother's luck had still been working hard enough to get her out of that terrible situation.
Even right now Jayce didn't feel particularly lucky. If his bloodline cared about him at all, he'd still be at Singed's place, likely curled up in a warm bed jotting down the events of the day in his journal.

As a slave, Jayce owned nothing so he'd been unable to carry anything from Singed's home, save the clothes he wore as he left. Not even his favourite possessions.
Yet, Singed had at least allowed him his journal. He'd wrapped it carefully and placed it in a pouch inside of his shirt, telling Jayce not to lose it. Jayce would cling to it with his life. It was all he had left of his old home now.
He still had some of his drawings of Rio in there. It was enough to remember them by.

****

The journey back to the Manor was a long one as Mel had wandered a bit too far that evening.
The journey's length, coupled with whatever hard work the slave had been doing all doing all day long, had finally tired him out. By the time they arrived back at the estate, her new slave was fast asleep.
She was loathe to wake him and disturb his beautiful resting features but there would be more than enough time for him to rest after he had settled in.

"Prepare one of the smaller guest rooms for my new slave," Mel instructed the servants as soon as she stepped down from the carriage. "I want it clean and spotless."
They hesitated at the idea of letting a slave sleep in a guest room but they knew better than to question her command.
"Yes, your grace," they replied and hurried to do as she asked.

This was the slave that would likely grace her matrimonial bed. He had to be sanitary and none of the slave quarters had private rooms anyway. Perhaps she could colonise the space she gave him as her second room. After all, he did belong to her now.

Jayce.
His name was Jayce, according to the old mage.
He looked a little disoriented at being woken, his eyes taking in the Manor in awe like it was his first time seeing a manor that grand. She found it curious considering that he'd once been a noble. Hadn't he lived in place like this?

The slave's attention whipped from the Manor right back to her when she tugged at the chain around his neck, looking with interest at the pendant attached to it.
This was definitely the symbol of a house. No wonder he'd cost an awful lot.
Her slave gulped in fear, eyes lowered and his body tensed, but she had no intentions of hurting him.

"Have you never seen a manor before?" she asked curiously.
"I.... It's been a while," he said apologetically and she smiled.
He sounded so sweet.

She tugged carefully at it, noting its make of pure gold. Interesting that a slave was allowed to keep this on his person. He flinched when she pulled it off his neck, taking a hesitant step forward but no more, eyes pleading silently as her fingers wrapped around the chain of beautiful make. It was flawless and crafted well.
Perhaps they'd allowed him have it so long because of those eyes. Those begging puppy like eyes.

"You'll have it back," she promised because he looked so sad without it.
Interesting.
"Some things need to be taken care of first. You need be washed and assessed. I don't know what grime you might have picked up while working in the mountains but health is key here. You will be rigorously tested for at least seven days and then we'll see if I got my money's worth with you. Do you understand?"

He nodded even if he didn't properly track what she'd said. At least he was putting some effort.
"Good," she smiled and patted his chest.
"Your master said you were obedient so be a good boy now and do as we say."
She turned to Elora.
"You know what to do."
"Of course," Elora said and led her slave away.

****

While Elora handled Jayce's cleaning and settling, Mel felt herself get giddy again.
She wanted to tell Viktor.
Oooh he'd love this.
Surely he had to, as a man of fine taste.

First things first she had to find him.

He wasn't easy to find in this huge manor. Mel believed Viktor lived in a house this big just to make it harder for people to find him. That was flawed by the fact that he'd always be found in his lab though.

"Are you ever not down here?" Mel sighed as she stepped in, watching him work with his gadgets and gases.

As soon as she came in, he lowered his goggles and turned to her with a frown.
"You came home a little late tonight. I was worried."
It made her features soften.
The fact that he'd stopped work showed just how worried he was. She came in and caressed his cheek gently, letting him lean into her touch. A gentle hand took hers hand in his and he pressed a small kiss to her fingers.

"I got carried away during my travels," she apologized, then grinned.
"One could say I might have gotten swept away by a new interest."

"And what interest might that be?" Viktor asked as his fixed his goggles back to his face. Now that he knew she was safe and well, he was going back to work.
Her husband's voice was heavily accented. She loved the way he spoke. It had a certain fun clip to it. Viktor's charm wasn't only in his voice either.
Pale skin as smooth and as cold as marble, golden eyes that gleamed in the dark, Viktor was beauty that very few people were graced to see. Mel was very pleased that she'd married him and now was a part of those select few.

"I bought a slave," Mel said barely able to keep the excitement from her voice.

Viktor looked up surprised.
Had she bought him months earlier he probably wouldn't be this surprised. But she'd insisted so much on not getting any.
So she finally has one now...
"Good for you," he said turning back to work, a screwdriver tightening a few lose screws.

"Not just any normal slave," his wife went on.
"Is that so?" Viktor said.
He thought he wouldn't care but now that he knew a bit more about Mel, he wondered about the person who'd made her change her mind.

"Remember how you're always asking me to get a concubine?" She grinned placing her hands on his shoulders.
"You finally listened to me," Viktor said dryly. "We should throw a banquet to mark the day."
"Your humour is unmatched," Mel rolled her eyes and stepped away with a grin.
"But he's not just for me. He's ours."

Viktor paused.
"A shared concubine?" he asked confused. "I don't remember making such a request."
"I'm giving you permission to my slave," Mel said with pride. "It's only appropriate, after all, I am your wife."

"I don't think I'll be needing it," Viktor mumbled and turned back to work, his second wife. Possibly first.
Mel groaned.

She walked to his work table and placed a gentle finger on the device he was working on, forcing him to look up.

"I ask you to reconsider," she smiled sweetly. "At least until you meet him. He just might be your type."
"And what do you know about my type?" Viktor drawled.
"I've got a good guess," she shrugged and slid the necklace she'd seized to him.

Mel fixed her eyes on Viktor, watching excited as her husband raised an eyebrow at her.
Finally he took the pendant in his hands and peered at it.

"Careful now," she said softly. He rolled his eyes at her but his interest was piqued.
"A noble," he frowned and raised his goggles, checking the pendant back and forth. "A lower house."
"It seems so," Mel smirked as she watched Viktor study the pendant.

Not wanting her excitement to get the better of her she tried shrugging nonchalantly to tease him.
"If you don't like him, I can always sell him to the King."
"Those should be my words not yours," Viktor tsked.
"Perhaps," Mel grinned and Viktor eyed her in wonder. She seemed so confident about this whole thing.

"I hope he's worth the money you spent on him," Viktor mused.
"I get the feeling he's worth more," her eyes sparkled. "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth Viktor. Give it a try? For me."

Viktor sighed and lowered the pendant to the table.
"We'll see," he mumbled. Taking on Mel was the most his social life could carry. As well as a few of the banquets the Kings forced him to. Fortunately, since he got married they'd stopped inviting him out as much.
Viktor wasn't sure what to think about a concubine. But Mel would give him time.

"I guess we will," she smiled and snatched the pendant up again.
She beamed when Viktor's eyes followed it.

"I'll be taking this then," she said and sashayed to the door. "It's been a long journey and I'm going to bed."
"I just got up," Viktor pointed out. "You got up too early."
He couldn't join her in bed when he'd only just woken. Mel understood. It had been her choice to travel during this time.

"That's fine," she said and paused at the door. "I'm so tired I might pass out on my own today."
She turned back to him and smiled.
"Good night, my darling husband."

"Sleep well, my dear wife," Viktor smiled back gently and kept watch till she shut the door behind her.

****

Jayce had planned to stay up to mark his way back home, a wistful hope that if he could rememberer, then from time to time he could sneak off and go home on free days.
Unfortunately his fracturing mental state only added to the exhaustion he'd gotten from crying earlier that night.
Before he knew it, he was fast asleep, curled up to the carriage wall.
He didn't wake till they arrived at their destination and he could not estimate the time it had taken to get there.

The Manor was bigger than he expected. Large, beautiful, powerful and just as magnificent as the carriage. He could see traces of the carriage design implemented here and there on the building. In spikes on the walls, on statues, outomen and art pieces. The place was gorgeous he had to admit and he was distracted for a few seconds from his terrible fate as he thought of how a place like this was going to be his new home.
Yes. He'd seen noble houses but he'd never lived in one before. Their family was humble and small. They didn't have much but they did their best.

Jayce was reminded, not long after, why he was here. His heirloom taken away and he felt even emptier than before, his head hung low as he let his Master's maid servant lead him away.

Jayce found he couldn't be disheartened for so long, fascinated by the architecture both in and outside of the building.
"Who built all this?" he couldn't stop himself from asking, as he turned to admire a giant metal plated wall.

"The Master of the estate."

"Who is that?" Jayce asked curiously and the servant looked at him like he'd grown two heads.
"Have you not heard of the Machine Herald?" Elora asked surprised. "The greatest inventor in Zaun. Head provider of the artillery and leading physician in augmentation medication."

Jayce felt embarrassed. This was clearly something he should know and although he tried his best to keep up with the gossip in the market, certain names just glossed by him. There were only so many Nobles he could remember and this guy wasn't talked about a lot around the circles he moved in.

"No. Sorry," he apologised sincerely.
The lady driver looked stunned and shook her head which made Jayce want to apologise even more.
"I'm sorry," he said again, head lowered in shame.
"Don't apologize," she scolded. "You'll learn in due time."

He followed after her silently, amazed at everything he saw, taking note of the unique designs in robotics. Why hadn't he paid attention to this kind of thing? Perhaps because he'd never seen anything like that get sold in the market. Everything was so well done that likely only Nobles purchased the Master's wares.
Jayce stopped paying attention to where he was going and just followed the lady that led him so before he knew it, they'd come to a stop in front of a giant jacuzzi.

Jayce ground to a halt in surprise, looking around at the wet floor. He was concerned about falling, slipping, and spoiling his shoes. His shoes had seen better days but he didn't particularly feel ashamed about it. He was a slave after all, he wasn't supposed to look classy.

"The lady requires you washed," the maidservant said and he turned his attention to her.
"Will you strip or shall it be done for you?"

Oh.

Jayce gulped and looked around at the large bath nervously. They weren't the only ones here and the pool looked as deep as it was wide. There were servants mopping up the wet floors, scrubbing up certain places.
This didn't seem like a communal bath area for slaves. He was the only one here and to be frank it looked almost way too fancy for a slave area.
Still the order stood.
Strip or be stripped?

Jayce took a deep breath and gestured at the ropes that bound his hands.
The maidservant raised an eyebrow at him but undid them swiftly with a knife. He didn't even see where she pulled that from.
He gulped, stepping away from her as he slowly shed his clothes.
He wasn't going to be stupid or try to run. He wouldn't get very far and this whole place was new to him.

Jayce paused when his book nearly hit the ground and he hesitated.
Elora narrowed his eyes at him and he gulped.
"Um. Where can I keep this?" he asked handing it to her with shaky hands. He hoped he'd get it back.

"What is that?" she asked with a frown.
"It's my journal," he confessed. "My master gave it to me before I left home."
"Your former Master," Elora corrected and snatched the book from his hands. "This belongs to your new master now."
"Right," Jayce said forlornly.
"Just please. Be...careful with it," he begged. If he lost that too.... He didn't know what he'd do. Maybe cry.

"Will do," she nodded at him. "The rest please."
The rest?
Jayce was briefly confused then understood that she meant his clothes. With a flush he got back to work.

It had been so long since Jayce had to do this, dress and undress before other people. All the servants watching him made his body burn. When he was fully undressed he covered himself with his hands, face and chest burning red with shame.
Elora felt for him but process was process.

"A little closer to the tub," she gestured with her head and he stepped closer hesitantly. "Closer," she commanded.
He looked to her confused but did as she asked.
"To the edge," she commanded.
He gulped but moved again to the edge, staring down at the torrent of water gushing up and down inside of the tub. The jacuzzi had been on since he got here.
He looked to her worried then back at the water.

"What am I supposed to...."
Before he could finish his sentence, Elora had walked up to him and shoved him right into the pool.
Jayce screamed. He was ashamed to say it was not a very brave or manly sound, hands flailing before he hit the water, sinking like a rock.
Jayce fell below the water and found to his horror that he was not alone.

Mermaids.
They'd been in the jacuzzi the entire time, all stirring as soon as he fell in. They grinned as if overjoyed to see him and he swam for the poolside in fear, bursting out of the water, gasping for breath.

"Help!" Jayce begged as the mermaids grabbed him, all better swimmers than he was. "Help me please!" he cried in fear.
Two had grabbed his legs and two more grabbed his arms, dragging him further into the pool and he panicked more.
"Please please help me!"

"Relax slave," Elora tsked, hands folding unamused behind her back. "These are simply one of our many water maids. They will take care of you. The Lady of the house requires you clean."

Clean?
Jayce realised then that the mermaids didn't seem to be grabbing him without reason. The two that had his arms had brushes and were now scrubbing him with a vengeance. Same with the ones that had his legs. One came upon his back, giggling in his ear as she scrubbed him so hard it felt like his skin would fall off.

"B-But I....I can do it myself!" he sobbed. He never imagined that being bathed would feel so scary. It was like they were trying to wash and drown him at the same time.

"Even with the best dexterity in the world there's just some corners that you can't reach," Elora scolded as she watched Jayce struggle and sob in the water.
"Don't worry. They do quick and good work. They won't hurt you."
He didn't look like he believed her but it wasn't like there was much he could do about that.
As she mused silently, Elora's attention was drawn to the book in her hands. Ah yes. His journal. She would give this to Mel.

She started to leave and that agitated the new slave even more.
"No wait!" he begged, terrified that she'd leave him there. "Please don't leave I ah~!"
He gasped in horror and she froze.
On glancing at the slave his face burned red and he sunk deeper into the water himself, some of the servants around giggling at his expense.
Elora remembered how cheeky the mermaids could get and sighed heavily.

"The more you struggle the more you encourage them," she scolded gently and continued on her way to the door.
"Also, try not to get a boner in the bath. It's very distasteful."
The servants erupted into more giggles and Jayce sunk into the water in humiliation.

Everything about the whole experience was so very embarrassing.
They washed him clean. His body, his mouth, his....places he hadn't even touched before. Driving in deep like they expected him to be a cesspool of germs. Even his ears were so clean he swore he could hear better. They scrubbed him so hard that he shone everywhere and everywhere also felt very sore.

He no longer had his journal or his heirloom. Not even the clothes on his back as they'd been switched out for new clothes.
The new clothes he wore were fortunately soft which was a blessing to his sore parts. He followed meekly after the servants he'd been left with to the room that had been prepared for him.
When the door to his new beautiful spacious room shut, he heard the lock turn and he knew he was locked in.
He knew he was living better than most slaves who would do anything for a bath, but he feared what they wanted him for that they'd clean him up this much.

He trembled a little thinking he'd be led to her bedroom but he wasn't. This was his room. He was alone here.
She did say he'd undergo cleansing for seven days.
For at least seven days he'd have peace before whatever was going to happen to him happened.
She'd mentioned her husband. Was he to please him? Would he be eaten by him?
He didn't know.

Jayce tried not to despair but so far away from home, in a place he did not recognise, having his family once again ripped away with no certainty that he'd see them again. It was all too much.
He hadn't been able to stay up so he didn't know his way back home.

Jayce moved slowly to his bed, the fluffy slippers he'd been given felt so comfortable on his sore feet.
Curiously he looked out the very high window of his tall room and wondered what Singed and Rio were doing right now.
The thought of never seeing Rio again, he hadn't even been able to say goodbye.
Would she miss him? Would she wonder where he went?
Realising that he might never fly again sunk him into further depression.
It was the straw that broke the camel's back.

Jayce fell over and cried, sobbing heartbrokenly into his pillow.
Singed had told him to put on a brave face but surely when he was alone he could cry? Surely he was allowed at least this.
What if his Master got upset when she saw the tears on his pillow. What if he now had a cruel Master that would punish him with whips and scourges? Singed had never hit him before. He didn't even punish him for breaking things. He just had Jayce learn to make a new one.
He'd never again get a Master like Singed and it hurt so much. He would give anything to go back home.

Jayce mourned the loss of a home that he'd known for eight years, for a family that had loved him for eight years even if they were not related by blood. For eight years he'd had a place to belong and now he might never see them again. His heart ached so much and he cried.

Jayce sobbed his regret over things that he'd left off for tomorrow. He hadn't told Rio he loved her enough, he hadn't expressed to Singed how much he loved him till it was too late. Jayce cried over lines that he should have crossed before he ran out of time. He cried over the pocket money he'd saved up to buy Singed a new coat. He'd so looked forward to picking one out but he'd never get to do that. He hoped that Singed would use the money just as Jayce intended it but he doubted that old miser would, it made his heart break more.

Jayce sobbed so hard that he didn't notice he had a little visitor in the room till he knocked it right out of the air.
Jayce sat up in surprise at the angry squeak when his hand connected unintentionally to a small fluffy form he hadn't noticed come in through the window.
He'd been so busy crying that when he heard the squeaking around him, he'd just swung his hand without thinking.

"Oh," he said and looked around the bed in fright for what he'd hit. He found in the covers a disgruntled bat that kicked out at him with tiny spindly legs.
"Oh I'm so sorry," Jayce apologised gently and picked the little creature in his hands.

"Hey. I'm sorry," he apologised again with regret. "Did I scare you?"

The tiny bat squeaked indignantly, likely scolding him for being so rude.
"I'm sorry," Jayce said with a small smile and turned in surprise to see the window open.

They hadn't locked his window? Had that been a mistake, or did they just know it was hopeless for him to try to escape through there?
Carrying the bat in his hands he peeked out at the window and saw that it had been nudged open gently.
Perhaps the window had never been locked and the bat knew how to get in without opening it fully.

"Is this your room?" he asked the bat surprised.
Of course. That would make so much sense.
One of the guest rooms had been prepared, likely one that wasn't used often. A tiny creature like this would have made the room its home with the absence of occupants and now he'd smacked it for making itself at home.

"Ah geez, I'm sorry," he winced taking a look at the bat in worry. "Did you get hurt?"
The little guy, or possibly girl, seemed to be okay. It was a little disgruntled but he didn't seem to be hurt too bad. It did have a little limp.

"Woah, did I do that?" Jayce asked and tried to touch the leg but he got nipped.
"Ouch!"

Jayce let go go the bat immediately and it flew to the windowsill, squeaking again in seeming annoyance.
It scowled at Jayce and Jayce blinked back.

"Sorry?"
Should he even say sorry in this position? The little rascal bit him and it hurt.
Jayce scowled as well and glanced down at his hand.
Agh that had hurt.

"You don't have to be so rude you know," Jayce muttered and glanced at his finger. What sharp fangs the little guy had. He'd nearly broken skin.
"You can fly and I can't...." Jayce sighed and sat on the bed carefully. "You have it so lucky you know. You should fly away. That's what I would do if I were free like you."

The bat watched him curiously and cocked its little head. It was like it could hear exactly what he was saying. Jayce laughed.
"I'm not like you little bat I... I'm not..." he looked down at his hands and he fought back tears. He wanted to say Free.
"I'm property. I can't do whatever I like. I can't go anywhere that I want or live how I want...."
The bat drew in closer, head cocking as Jayce went on.

Jayce sighed and looked out at the land before him, outside the window.
The great city of Zaun that had once been Piltover. So much had changed since the time he was born here.
"If I could... If I could live as I liked..." he smiled wistfully at the bat. "I'd...go back home."

It struck Jayce that when he thought of home, he wasn't thinking of his mother's place, as much as he loved her. He didn't know where she was but likely she had built a home for herself. A new life independent of him.
When Jayce thought of home, his mind went back to Singed and Rio.
"I'd go look for my mother maybe. If I find her I could introduce her to-to my family," he sniffed and more tears came to his eyes.
"To...."
To Singed. To Rio.

His voice broke and he started to cry again, the bat flew over to his shoulder and he paused.
Jayce turned to the bat surprised and the bat nuzzled into him gently. It's little head was so fluffy and cute.
"Are you telling me to cheer up?" Jayce laughed and caught the little creature in his hands.
It stared at him with its pretty golden eyes. Odd colour for a bat.
"I will," Jayce assured it with a small smile. "Cause I'm going to work very hard so that one day I can go home."
He believed that strongly. He was going to make Singed proud. He would advertise Singed's work with shimmer and work really really hard. Singed would get rich and then one day....maybe Rio would teeth again....and he could go home.

"Soon," Jayce assured the bat. He couldn't believe he was making a promise to a bat but he strongly believed in himself. He had to.
"While I'm here though, I'm going to have to borrow your room," he said with a small shy smile.
"Sorry about that," he sighed and set the bat on the sill. "I might be big but I won't take up your space. Promise," Jayce assured him.
"I'll only be here for a while so you and I can be roommates. What do you say little bat?"

The bat squeaked in consideration, spreading its wings and Jayce understood it wanted to go outside. He pushed the window a bit more, glancing at the guards outside in worry. He didn't want them to think he was escaping.
"Go on," he encouraged the little bat. "I'll leave the window open for you. Feel free to return whenever you like."

The bat looked at him, golden eyes glinting in the dark before it nodded and took off into the sky, the wind picking it up so it soared away to freedom.
Jayce watched it as it flew, knowing what it was like to be in the air from riding Rio.
He thought wistfully of those memories but instead of crying he held them in his heart.

One day, he promised himself, he was going to fly again.

Chapter Text

The next day, Jayce was woken and led to a clinic within the manor. It was pristine, with spotlessly white walls that had him amazed. Those must take hours to clean. Why, if he was the servant in charge of washing the place he’d have to work endlessly and it would likely take the whole day just to make the room shine like this. He had mad respect for the people in charge of that. He almost felt awkward there, like he would sully it. At least, he’d feel that way if he had not been scrubbed relentlessly once again.

"Pay attention, Jayce," Elora scolded.

"Sorry," he said, whipping to face the doctor with a blush of shame. He didn't want to be disappointing so early in his line of work; whatever that was.
It seemed that Elora would be in charge of his orientation process. She'd woken him bright and early, even earlier than he'd expected to be woken, and led him straight to the hospital for a check-up. After the very invasive wash he'd had the other night and this morning, the hospital checks almost seemed mild. Jayce felt he'd never get used to that wash. To make things worse, the sirens seemed to get bolder each time they did it. Just thinking of what they'd get away with doing to him while he was underwater had his knees knocking together in fear.

Yes, he was scared. Scared of the unknown. There was still too much that he did not know. Stuff he wished that he did know, but he didn't right now, so he'd just have to go with the flow and do as they say. Of course, he would have to do that anyway.
He was searched and tested at the hospital, just to be sure he wasn't carrying any dormant diseases. They inspected every nook and cranny of him and drew so much blood that Jayce felt lightheaded after. Thankfully, he was allowed to take a small lunch break, just a simple sandwich and some juice.

"The young man is as fit as a horse," the Doctor told Elora. "He's in good shape and must have had access to a healthy diet. You don't need to worry about him falling ill any time soon. I'm sure even his blood is safe, but I will run further tests."
"Thank you for your report, Doctor, it is good to hear that," Elora said.
So, he was clean. Jayce sighed internally, a small desperate part of him wishing he had been found sick. Even if it didn't send him back to Singed, it would at least put a delay on whatever they had in store for him.

"Alright slave," Elora said and Jayce got to his feet, hands bound by the chains she used to lead him as usual. "Next is your wash."
"Again?" Jayce asked horrified.
"A wash after every doctor's appointment. No risks taken," Elora said.
"Then shouldn't I go see the doctor before getting washed?" Jayce suggested meekly. He knew he was just a slave and he should know his place, but this was ridiculous.
"The constant washing will be temporary, but for now, you will wash," Elora explained in a clipped tone. Once again, he was led sulkily to the washroom.

After his wash, he was brought before in his new master in a room illuminated by the light of the sun. Jayce’s jaw dropped as he beheld the giant art studio, cut into the side of the grand manor like this place had been carved into its design just for her. Its roof was glass, letting the light fall upon each work of art, though the true masterpiece stood at the center of the room cleaning her brush. Jayce had seen her once in the dim light of Singed’s little home, but now his master glowed in the light of the sun and her gold freckles sparkled in the light, stealing his breath away. He was grateful that he did not have to speak in this situation because she still stole his breath away.
His master glanced up then, catching him staring, and an amused smile enhanced her beauty. Jayce was surely going to combust under her gaze so his eyes turned sheepishly to the ground, his palms sweating as he tried to calm his nerves.

“How was the test?” she asked her handmaid who nodded once in affirmative and the Master looked quite pleased, or perhaps it was Mistress now. Jayce liked that she was pleased but he kept his gaze on the floor as his ears burned red.
“Are you not going to say hello?” she teased and he choked, startled at being addressed directly. He had not expected that to happen so soon and he stuttered as he searched for words. The last thing he wanted was to come across as rude. He started to kneel but she stopped him with a tut.
“Stand, stand," the lady ordered with a wave of her hand and he paused halfway to the ground. "I didn't have you cleaned so often just so you could sully your fine clothes.” Jayce stood quickly, bowing in apology and she finally stepped closer as she studied him. “How do you find your new clothes? Comfortable?”
Jayce nodded immediately.
“My gratitude is endless master.”

They were indeed nice clothes, finer than anything he’d worn in the past ten years, but that was because Singed did not care too much about the latest fashion. The most important thing back then was being covered to keep shimmer off the skin, and being warm because it got cold at night. The newest clothes he’d owned were a pair of blacksmith boots to help protect his legs while he did his little side projects. It had not been a birthday or holiday present, but Jayce had found them in his room one morning and they fit perfectly. Singed had given a single grunt of approval when he saw him using them and that was that. They had been one of his many treasured possessions. Even those were gone.
Now Jayce wore new clothes. Not the clothes fit for a noble but richer than a slave would usually dress. The shirt was a little tight around the waist and stretched around his muscles, the pants also rather hugged his thighs. The boots he wore now were more for fashion than function but they were indeed comfortable.
In truth, Jayce was quite worried about just how comfortable these clothes were. The fact that he'd been cleaned so much and was yet to be introduced to any form of workshop did not bode well for him. He could not even guess at what his role was supposed to be in this new home.

"Raise your eyes," the lady of the house instructed and he did as he was commanded. The corners of her lips turned up in a gorgeous smile that stole his gaze and his breath. He wished he could stop himself from marveling at her fluttering lashes as she circled him in an inspection.

"You truly are a work of perfection, aren't you Mr. Leprechaun," she chuckled and Jayce could only gape her.
"Madam, forgive my impudence, and I mean no flattery, but I am not the one devoid of flaws in this room,” Jayce said hesitantly.
“Oh? And who could have possibly earned such a title?” his lady asked with amusement with a cock of her head.
“You.” He could not believe he had said that. Perhaps his time with Singed had made him a bit more bold and blunt. His cheeks were heated at his declaration but her eyes shone with mischief and she chuckled in amusement.
“You’re so honest it's adorable,” she laughed, her hand falling on his chest and lingering. The touch had butterflies dancing in his belly and Jayce gulped when he realized again that there was a question that remained unanswered.

“Mistress,” Jayce spoke again as soon as he had worked up the nerve. “F-forgive my forward question but might I ask why...have you brought me here? What job role do you hope for me to fulfill?” He prayed for a job role that involved his hands, he was very good with his hands. Perhaps she had taken an interest because of his job on her wheel and he would be her mechanic. He did not mind that, but who cleaned a mechanic that much?
“What job role can you fulfil?” his Master asked with an amused smile as she stepped back, her gaze cunning like a fox. “Tell me Mr. Leprechaun, what are your talents?”
“I-“ Jayce swallowed but focused. This was an opportunity to sell the right talents. “This humble one is known to be good with his hands.” She snorted in amusement and he doubled down with a frown. “It is true my Master,” he insisted and took a step forward as he spoke. “There are many things I can create.”
“Can you create sounds too?” she laughed and Jayce faltered.
“I-“ Sounds? Was she asking him to create magic? His confusion cost him the argument and his stuttered into stunned silence as she laughed openly.
“I'm teasing you,” she giggled, a hand on his shoulder as she chuckled in amusement. “Stop it. You take things too seriously.”
“Forgive me,” Jayce flushed and lowered his gaze.
“Nonsense,” the noble chuckled and patted his shoulder once more before returning to her art. “Jayce, do not fret so much. For now, your work is to rest well and build back your strength for healthy eating. Worry about the future when the future appears. That is natural for a slave don't you think?”
“I-“
He could not argue there. Still, he was at a loss and she sighed to see him pout like that.

“Come now, don't spoil your beautiful features with a frown,” she scolded to his surprise. “I'm sure you know that beauty is appreciated in this household and I'd prefer you to look your best at all times. To do that you need rest and peace of mind.”
Suddenly, she thought of an idea and gestured to Elora who came forward. The handmaid had been silently watching all this time but now she raised a box from a stool that Jayce had not noticed before.
“How about you write,” Mel beamed. “You seem to enjoy that.”
Jayce’s eyes widened as she presented the item within the box.
“My journal.” He was breathless as his fingers reached for it immediately. His hands were still bound but his fingers could brush the leather covering. He was unsure why they still bound him, it was not like he was going to run away, but he guessed that was protocol here.
He looked to Mel hesitantly at first, wondering if she was really letting him have this but she smiled.
“Can I really?”
“Do you not want to?” she cocked her head and he moved instantly to grab the book. He held it dearly to his chest like it was his comfort and solace. Perhaps it was; a small reminder of home. She chuckled as she watched him, withdrawing the box now that it was empty.
“See. You can be such a good boy,” she grinned and he flushed red once again. “Jot about your day, and your experiences, take your time and soak it in. This is your home now. You should get used to it.”

There was something final about her words that made him uneasy, but for now, he just nodded. He did not need to tell her of his conversation with Singed, this would not be a permanent job role. Still, he had to admit that she had a point. The little he’d seen of the manor marveled him, and he still was yet to meet its architect.
The Machine Herald huh?

“For today rest,” his Master said as she took a seat, pulling his attention back to her. He tried not to watch her legs cross as she sat but the ripple of her white gown along flawless limbs would not allow it. He bowed to her once again, shoulders relaxing when Elora stepped forward to take the ropes that bound his hands.
He was returned to his room early that day and his hands unbound. Jayce slumped, falling to the bed in relief but also curiosity. He would be lying if he said he was not intrigued about his new home. On opening his journal, he found the Talis pendant pressed inside and once again his joy rose. Hanging it back at the familiar place on his neck, he was grateful that at least this pendant refused to part with him if nothing else.

With nothing else to occupy his time, Jayce did take to journaling. He was brought meals three times a day and was not taken out of the room for the rest of the day so he did not have much to pen down, but this was only the second day.
When night came around, Jayce dreaded the wash and wished it would be skipped but he was never that lucky.
However, this time, he was mercifully allowed to skip the tub entirely and take a light shower under the watchful gaze of the mermaids who pouted like they thought they could clean him better. After the wash, Jayce was retired to his room with the door locked behind him as always.

This house was the closest he’d come to being housed by Zaun nobility, but his new master did not really seem like a Zaunite. The other Zaunites that Jayce had met in the market had been…well….. Jayce grimaced. They seemed more like the people from the stories. Some with horns and sharp teeth, claws and furs and four arms.
Though human-looking, Singed himself had looked wispy from time to time like he was made of smoke that could be blown away by a harsh wind. Few within this manor looked like that. In fact, the people within the manor were so few that Jayce was already starting to recognize faces.

He wondered if the master of the house would look more like a Zaunite or more like his wife. Jayce paused his scribbles, his thoughts drifting once again when he remembered that his new Master was a married woman. Whatever would she want with him?
His question remained unanswered and he sunk into a fitful sleep, haunted by nightmares of waking in a stone-cold dungeon to water thrown on his face and being whipped again like he’d been during his first weeks as a slave. Jayce buried himself under the blankets he was now privileged to have, unlike that time, hands shaking as he wished away the monsters, unaware of a little black bat watching over his restless sleep.

He was to be under medical observation for seven days while they cleaned him regularly, got him vaccinated, and switched up his diet. Jayce almost felt like he’d been purchased as a fancy pet dog. The new food was pretty good, he had something new every day, it was nothing like living at Singed’s. It’s not like he was starving back there but they’d eaten the basics, everything was either boiled, fried, or grilled by Rio. He had started introducing spice to the house after a few shopping trips. Singed didn’t mind, his former master had not been the kind to give compliments, but the sight of his empty bowl of food was enough.
Most of the stuff Jayce was served in his new home was not very spicy, but it was indeed very sweet. Sometimes he was grateful for the vaccination period cause that food had him rushing to the bathroom every once in a while.

It was boring, sitting there by himself in his room, and his anxiety eventually gave way to curiosity. Sometimes he would peek out of his bedroom window, still amazed that he had a window. Were they not worried that he would run off? Then again, he was still identifiable as a slave, marked by Mel’s colours of red and gold. Jayce tugged at his collar curiously, wishing that he could read what was written on the dog-tag but only his new master held the key. He wondered about her, wondering if he truly was a pampered pet now.
She did think he was pretty.

That reminder had him blushing and he buried his head in his hands, wondering if he would truly play the part of a pampered palace pet until Singed had mercy and bought him back. He wondered how the man was doing on his own, he wondered if Rio missed him.
The only form of entertainment he had was his journal so he had started reading old notes, but that got depressing too fast, so he had to close it. It ached to recall that at some point when living at Singed’s place he had started to have dreams and aspirations. How silly for a slave.

Slamming the book closed, Jayce sighed very heavily and buried his face in a pillow. He’d heard that some Piltovians sometimes kept Zaun monsters as exotic pets. It seemed some kind of dramatic irony that this happened to him. He couldn’t even afford a Zaunite pet as a noble, and those would only be sold in the black market, not…openly like they were being sold now. Sometimes his mind still reeled when he thought about how quickly his whole life had been uprooted and changed, as easily as coin changing hands. It was depressing to dwell on. It seemed his biggest highlight these days was when his furry friend came to visit.

“Hey,” Jayce grinned when he noticed the bat flapping sheepishly on the window sill as it was undecided on whether or not to come in. Strong legs pushed him off the bed and he sailed over to the window.
“I thought you might show up again,” Jayce smiled and pushed the window open further, marveling at the city that stretched out below. Although his new place was fancy, it seemed his new masters also lived like hermits secluded from society. The manor was situated in the mountains over the port and Jayce watched the ships come in and out, sometimes fantasizing what it would be like to run and board one of those ships one day, leaving behind everything of Piltover, finding his mother.
For some reason, those kinds of thoughts barely stirred up any wind in his sails. Piltover was his home for better or worse. No matter what happened he always seemed to be stuck there. Unlike a little someone he knew.

“Where do you go all day long?” he asked the bat in amusement and the little creature squeaked, flapping its wing as it launched into the room. It glided from the sill to the bed, making its landing on his journal as it would have sunk otherwise on the feather-soft pillows. Jayce hurried to the bat who squeaked indignantly like it was telling him of all of its travels. He wished he knew what it said. A Zaunite would know.
“I got your specials,” Jayce beamed as he fished them out from under his bed. He’d taken to keeping little snacks in the room, leftovers from his plate for the little guy. He missed when the light guy didn’t come for a visit because he’d have to eat his spoils by himself so that the maids would not find it in the morning. Fortunately, little V had made it. That’s what he called the bat V….for Vampire. It was not very creative but the bat did not seem to mind. Besides, it seemed fitting for a little bat who haunted these dark halls to be called a Vampire, he might as well get a dark awesome title.

“Tonight, we have marshmallows, little sugar cubes from my tea this morning because I know how much you like them,” Jayce beamed as he pulled out the little treats. The tiny bat seemed elated and hopped forward.
“Try not to gorge yourself on them. I’ve got some water to help them go down. I don’t know how much you drink.” Jayce hurried to the bathroom to fetch a bowl of water. Fortunately, his room had an inbuilt restroom which was very convenient; almost too convenient, even for a house pet.
Still, he wasn’t about to complain and long strong legs brought him quickly to the little bat that had quickly finished off the cube and was now getting his little fangs stuck on the marshmallow.

“Ah sorry, was it too much?” Jayce hadn’t thought of that and he stole it back from the indignant bat, breaking it into much smaller pieces with his fingers before handing it back.
“What is it like? The world out there?” Jayce asked curiously as he fed the bat. “Did you see anyone interesting? Is it better than it used to be before?”
It was perhaps better for the Zaunites. Everyone talked about making the world a better place. Better for some people, not so good for the rest. The bat of course did not respond as it battled with the marshmallow, tiny teeth making quick work of the soft sweet treat and Jayce giggled.
“Did you see anyone I might know?” Jayce asked curiously. A thin grouchy old man with a covered face, maybe an adorable wave rider dragon…. “A girl with blue hair.” He’d never been able to stop thinking about Caitlyn. She often seemed stronger than him sometimes with a will that was hard to break. He wondered if that was a good thing or a bad thing in this sort of world.
The bat squeaked in response, raising its wings slightly and Jayce wondered if that was an answer. He pretended that it was.

“You’re not sure?” Jayce smiled with a small sigh. “It can’t be that hard. Blue hair, pointed ears.” He perked up his fingers by his ears with a small sad smile. She had been so little the last time he’d seen her. “It can’t be that hard. She…should be the only one left…. who looks like that….”
Perhaps the reason he could not imagine leaving Piltover was because of Caitlyn. He had turned back from the emergency boat in search of her. He did not know if she was dead or alive. Could he really board another boat without confirming?
He turned away from the window with a sigh, the bright palace of the Zaun Kings glowed in the distance, always illuminating the night. It stood where the council building used to stand and, sometimes, he wondered if the sacrifice had been worth it. If the Zaunites had everything they ever wanted, and if it had been worth the sacrifice of…. everyone else.

“Caitlyn.”

“Yeah Cait-“Jayce froze and stared at the bat stared back, golden eyes unreadable and Jayce blinked. Just now….
“You can talk?” he asked with a deep intake of breath. Was this bat perhaps a Zaunite too? He had heard they could take any shape or form, it would not be out of place for the tiny animal to speak. Their golden gazes met and its small black jaw opened as Jayce held his breath, waiting with anticipation for the confirmation of his theory and the bat squeaked.
The squeak was loud, tearing through his delusions and for a moment Jayce blinked stupefied. Then he laughed at himself, his head bowed, hair falling over his eyes as he laughed.
This was so stupid. He was talking to a bat. Perhaps he was going insane.

“Right,” Jayce shook his head as he helped his little friend back to the windowsill. Bats didn’t talk.
Zaun had been kept in the dark for a long time, he could not fault them for wanting a chance to live their lives. However…..
“If you do see Caitlyn,” he said to the bat in a small whisper. “Tell her that…”
His voice faltered. Tell her what? That he was sorry that he failed her? That her parents were long gone and as far as he knew, they would not be coming back. That he planned to save her and get on a boat and sail far away from here when he did not even know how he’d get out of this palace himself.

So, Jayce sighed, his shoulders weary as he now had so much on his mind. If he could see Caitlyn right now, what would he even want to say?
“Tell her that I am glad that she is…. Okay,” he decided with a small hesitant smile. That was all.
The bat stared, its golden gaze was so eerie and Jayce stared back, his hand reaching for his pendant and squeezing for comfort. The bat’s gaze followed the movement of his hand.

“I’ll have more treats for you next time, I promise,” he said and that seemed to be enough for the bat. It took off on silent wings and Jayce watched until it disappeared into the night, flying free just like always.
****

His orientation was supposed to take seven days, but it was suddenly shortened to five, and the Master asked to see him. Jayce gulped as he got dressed in the fine colors. A white shirt over rippling muscles, and tight dark pants. The white really brought out the shine of the gold in his collar and his eyes. He was lathered in a few more perfumes than usual and then deposited in his Master’s art studio.

As usual, she was there before him, painting. As usual, she was exquisite, in a gorgeous gown of white and golden. She took her time addressing him so he took the time to look around, this time admiring the various colours and powders that lined the shelves on the walls. It was like a library for painters.
One wall-hung brushes of various sizes, their tips fashioned into different shapes for different types of accuracy. There were paint buckets, watercolors, and containers of glitter, all neatly arranged according to shade. The place smelt of natural wood which was surprising for a Manor that was mostly built of iron and steel. So much care had gone into the crafting of this studio, Jayce wondered if this was yet another gift from her husband. It had been five days and he still had not met the man. Perhaps the Machine Herald was away on a business trip.

“Good evening, Mistress.”
Jayce was the kind to learn from his past mistakes so he greeted as soon as he saw her. He was usually sure not to repeat them… usually. His master finally looked up from her work, her eyes lighting up to see him.

“You clean up nice, Jayce, was it?” she purred as she came over, her eyes drifting over his form and liking what she saw. He tried not to fidget. Of course, she’d forgotten his name; they had barely seen that week.
“Yes Mistress,” he said in response to her question and she smiled. He liked that she was so fond of smiling.
“So formal,” she sighed, a sign of disappointment. His shoulders tensed as he hastened to correct that.
“Is there.... Something else you'd like me to call you?” he asked, puppy eyes wide with worry and she smiled in amusement as she circled him.

“Well, we can't speak informally but Mistress makes me feel old,” she pointed out and then beamed. “I can be your lady.” She came to a stop before him, her hair just underneath his gaze. The Master had quite a large presence for someone smaller than he was.
“My Lady?” he said softly.
“Much better,” she beamed and the butterflies in his belly furiously beat their wings.
“How do you like your new environment,” she asked, casually strolling back to her work.

How did he like it? On that subject, Jayce had an awful lot to say.
“Mistre-“ He caught himself. “I mean my Lady, what is my.... Purpose? Point….. My job.” He didn't even know if he wanted to know.
“You're my entertainment,” she replied simply with a cheeky smile, eyes sparkling as she regarded him.
“Oh.” He was unable to stop his voice from cracking as he had…feared that much. Now he was visibly fidgeting.

“We could say I bought you for my amusement,” his master went on as the slave continued to fret. She paced further from her painting, regarding the city below. The glass windows of her studio always set the place aglow.
“It's nice here,” his master admitted, her tone wistful. “But sometimes I get bored; could make for a little conversation.”

Conversation?
“You bought me just to talk?” Jayce asked, the surprise clear in his tone as his body relaxed.
“Among other things,” she added, promise in her hooded gaze and he gulped. So, that was still there.
“In shorter terms, you will be my personal aide,” she summarised as she lounged on a soft bean-bag sofa and beckoned for him to approach. He came forward as commanded and took a seat beside her. “You don't need to concern your pretty head with difficult things like finances or my schedule.” She waved her hand and rolled her eyes. “Of course, issues of government are out of the question.”
Jayce nodded. It was clearer than ever that his new master was a foreigner, especially if she needed to buy someone to talk to. Now he wondered how much they were similar in the caged bird aspect. Well, not entirely similar, she could at least go outside.

“Mostly, you’ll do whatever I ask,” she smiled.
“What do you want from me?” he asked curiously and she smiled, almost girlishly, perfect teeth grazing her lip as she pulled him forward. He was mesmerised by her as she pulled him further unto the beanbag, standing so he could lie on it.
“Right now,” she said, his gaze drawn to her glossy lips and he hung on every word she said. “I want you to sit right here where the sun hits just right. Then I want you to stay still.”
“What?”
He blinked when she pulled away with a laugh, leaving him seated there alone on the bag staring after with a stunned expression on his face. He was half lying on it and he tried to straighten but she wagged her finger in protest.

“You'll be my muse for today,” his master said by way of explanation, much to his surprise.
“You're painting me?” Jayce blinked.
“Problem?” she asked and his cheeks flushed at the thought. He’d never been painted before.
“N-no, ma'am.” His master cleared her throat, an eyebrow raised and he hurried to correct himself. “My lady. No, my lady.”
“Good, now stay still,” she smiled as she started to paint, focused on the canvas before her and occasionally glancing at where he sat illuminated by the sun. It was the perfect angle, his golden skin looked flushed contrasting with the white and the gold of his collar sparkled. It was delicious.

The handsome slave genuinely tickled Mel’s fancy and it was incredible to think she’d found such a fine specimen wasting away in the alchemist’s little shop. A little cleaning here and there and he looked exquisite enough to make a fine fortune as an escort. Like most hybrids, he had a human appearance and Mel wondered if his other half was reflected anywhere else but in his eyes. She was going to delight in every second that she spent creating a picture of his form.

“Of course, I'll require of other services,” she added as she worked, her focus on the canvas before her.
“Like what?” he could not stop himself. A slave used to being part of the conversation, she liked that much better than a few of the timid slaves she’d seen within Zaun. Thankfully, he was not rude either.
“Have you ever had sex before Mr. Talis?”
His golden skin gained a rather beautiful colour, she found that she liked it a lot.

“Um.” The poor thing was at a flustered loss for words.
“I'll take that as a no?” she chuckled.
“I-“ he looked like he wanted to say something but each time she met his gaze his voice would wither away and he would stutter into silence.
“Yes, my lady,” he finally managed shyly and she glanced at him in surprise.
“You have?” Oh, he was a man of surprises.
“I- I mean no I- No!” he squeaked and her eyes narrowed. Well, with men it was a little harder to tell and he seemed to wither further under her scrutiny.
“Is that a yes, or no?”
“I have not. There’s never been anyone…..” His voice trailed away and she blinked.
I see, she thought, her gaze focused on the painting. So…. a virgin.

“I thought as much,” she hummed and he fidgeted where he sat. “Stop moving.” He froze. Good boy. Good at taking orders. “Worry not,” she went on. “Your training will begin immediately.”
“My training?” he asked surprised.
“We have to make sure you do it right,” Mel smiled and Jayce nodded shyly, swallowing thickly as he rubbed his sweaty palms together.
It had to happen eventually, he told himself. It was fortunate that it happened like this. One bed partner. One bed partner was fine. It was not scaly hands shoving him to his knees and choking him till he begged for breath. His Master always scented sweet, a hole in the furthest cavern in his mind absentmindedly wondered if she would taste good as well.

“What sort of training?” he asked unconsciously and she narrowed her eyes. He fell silent immediately and sat still. There was no more mention of the training for the rest of the day, so Jayce just focused on being a presentable picture.

It turned out the hybrid slave did not need to wonder for a long time. The next day, his training did indeed begin in a classroom.
Jayce was both relieved and partly insulted. He was introduced to a room that was more like a study and Elora stood before a board with a study book in hand. He was to sit before her with a notepad and hang on every word. The peculiar situation was more intriguing than it was embarrassing.

“Are you familiar with the vagina?”
And now the embarrassing part was back.
“Um.”
Jayce’s face flushed, desperately trying to look anywhere but in her direction. Elora was insistent.
“How familiar are you with the vagina?”
He wished she would stop talking.

“Very well,” the handmaid sighed, much to his surprise and he thought she would drop the subject when she suddenly started rough sketching on the board. He watched curiously until the picture began to take shape and then the blush returned to his face full force.
“Ma’am!” he gasped.
“This is a vagina,” she said simply as she tapped her ruler against the board. “I expect to see a similar sketch within your notes.”
He whined pitifully at this request, notes clutched to his chest as he looked anywhere but at the board.
“Have you ever seen a vagina before?” she asked and he searched for words.
“I mean… one or two texts have some drawings,” he mumbled.
“So no,” she deadpanned and he fell silent for a moment.
“No,” he admitted and the handmaid gave an exasperated sigh.
“We have our work cut out for us.” She returned to the board, Jayce watching her in apology.

He had not taken enough breaks in between studies to explore anything sexual. Perhaps he had also been unsure of whether or not he had the right to.
Those sorts of things were supposed to come naturally, that’s what Jayce thought anyway. He’d assumed as a student that he would figure out all there was to know about love, romance and intimacy after he completed his research. That had clearly been foolish of him, he should not have taken time for granted.

“Ow.” He made a face of protest when a rolled-up piece of paper hit him, raising his head to find Elora with slight annoyance on her brow.
“Pay attention Jayce,” she scolded and tapped the board with her ruler. “Best believe you’ll be quizzed later.”

A quiz, of course.

“Yes ma’am,” Jayce said and pulled his note closer, deciding to take the lesson a bit more seriously.

With a little bit of focus, it started looking more like biology. They labelled the vagina together and Elora pointed out pleasure points, rating the amount of pleasure each provided as well as listing down the ways each part could be used. He had no take-home work, but he was to go over his notes as they would have a short quiz at the start of the next lesson.
It was…. bizarre to say the least. However, it almost felt normal. Sitting up later in his room, studying through his notes, it vaguely reminded him of studying back in the Piltover Academy. Whether he liked it or not, Jayce had been given a task and he worked well with spelled out objectives. He studied diligently enough to do well on his test the next day, a success that was shared with Mel by Elora.
He pinked when the handmaid mentioned it and Mel smiled.

“Well done,” she said with a raised brow and he flushed, pleased at the praise. “But you’ve barely scratched the surface of the lesson. I expect great things from you Jayce.”
“Yes ma’am,” Jayce said from his perch on the bean-bag. When he was not busy with classes, he was back in the studio keeping the Lady company. It was finally a break from being locked in his room all day and he took advantage of the opportunity to stretch his legs. When she was not painting him, Mel allowed her pretty slave to walk around the large studio and entertain himself, which he mostly did by admiring the art that was hung on the wall.

“Do you like them?” Mel asked from where she lounged on a sofa.
“They’re beautiful,” Jayce said breathlessly and she could barely hide her pleasure. Her sweet husband had noticed her hobby and immediately had the place prepared for her. It was almost as grand as his lab, her studio lit in the glow of the sun, illuminated by its rise and fall. Meanwhile, her darling husband’s preferred center was an area of work secluded in darkness. However, her ever-busy husband rarely took the time to see the things that she created. It was nice to get an opinion outside of Elora.

“Do you like art, Jayce?” Mel asked curiously as she watched him. She was taking a break, lounging on a couch as she just watched him inspect her studio. He was a piece of art himself.
“I never took the time to properly appreciate it,” he admitted as he looked from picture to picture. Soft colours of a sunflower sitting alone on a patch of green; its colours bright but it was drenched in the rain. A few paintings of softer plants and animals, bunnies and butterflies. He took a sharp breath at the replication of the forest just outside his former home; he knew the mushroom paths well. There was a large painting of large black ships with red sails at the back and he lingered before it. He had not seen ships like that at the harbour.

“You capture the world like a camera, but….in brighter colours.”
“You think I make them look brighter?” she laughed and he stopped before the canvas in the centre. His image. It was uncanny. Like looking into a mirror but she had drawn him so softly. Jayce reached out unconsciously and she gasped.
“Stop!” His hand withdrew sharply, looking at her with alarm.
“You’ll smudge the painting,” she explained gently and he nodded, pulling away from the painting but still marveling at it.

“Do you like that one?” she asked curiously, a shy part of her hoping he did.
“It’s beautiful,” he said softly, honestly. She loved how he spoke to her like each sentence was a prayer. Her gaze turned down to her fingers to hide her pleased smile. She almost came off as shy.

“They say art is the most intense mode of individualism the world has ever known,” she hummed and glanced at him. “What about you Jayce? Do you draw?”
“Nothing as good as these,” he said with a shake of his head, still admiring her art with awe. “I can sketch but this is…. incredible.”
He had to stop with the compliments, she was blushing like a schoolgirl. She gestured for him to come closer and he did, retaking his seat on the bean bag.
“What do you like to do?” she asked curiously and he looked to her surprise. He seemed shy about the question.
“I like science, working on machinery and crafting works to simplify difficult tasks,” he said. She knew that much. That was part of why…. she’d taken interest in the first place. He’d been here over an entire week now but Viktor still refused to see him.
“A mechanical engineer?” she asked.
“Something like that,” he said in response with a nod but shook his head. “Well, mostly just a slave now.”
A slave. Her eyes strayed to the collar on his neck, and beyond that the gold chain. She had inspected the gold, thought it was odd for a slave. She doubted Singed had purchased it, the stingy man spent all his earnings on his creations. Yet Jayce held it dearly.

“What were you before the war?”

She had always been curious. She had heard of the conflict between Piltover and Zaun but had always been far removed from it. However, as soon as her engagement to Viktor was announced, she’d done her studies. Zaun had been an oppressed and suppressed race in the land of Piltover, known for their exotic features and marketed as rare commodities in the black market. It was wicked irony now that their oppressors suffered the same fate, though with limited market value as hybrids.
There was still market value for the children of Zaun, it was an issue Viktor was working with the Kings to tackle. It was complicated and political. The market that Piltover had opened now led to frequent kidnappings and Zaun children going missing. It was a national headache that had been a motivation for their alliance to Noxus and Viktor had worked to double security with his mechanical armed forces.

There were arguments on just breeding Piltovians to increase the market for halflings in replacement, someone even suggested just marketing Piltie organs as their hybrid blood made them stronger. Mel didn’t think she could contribute much to the conversation, but she and her husband were against the idea. There was no reason for children to suffer for the choices of adults. They’d both already undergone their fair share of suffering.

“I was a student,” Jayce replied and her mouth rounded in surprise. Somehow, she had not expected that. It was foolish of her. The war had been ten years ago.
“How old are you?” she asked suddenly and he flushed in surprise.
“Thirty-one.”

Mel blinked in surprise. He was two years younger than she was. When the war started, he would have been twenty-one. She was struck then with how different their lives had been. A slave at twenty-one.
“How long have you been a slave?”
She had so many questions. When had Singed bought him? Why had Singed bought him? Where had they met? Had he seen him in a market or had Jayce been on the run?

“It’s been a while,” Jayce said softly, his fingers curling into his lap. The question made him uncomfortable, his shoulders stiffening and his eyes cast down. He didn’t know if the two years in the slave market counted. He actually could not believe how much time had passed; it was foolish to hope that Caitlyn would somehow still be alive. If she was, she’d have started a revolution by now. He smiled at the thought.

“What is it?” Mel asked softly. She’d been sad to see him withdraw into himself but he’d suddenly smiled.
“What?”
“You smiled.”
“Oh. I’d been thinking about….” What would he even call her? His adopted sister? The daughter of his sponsors?
He shook his head with a flush, dismissing the topic.
“It was nothing.”
Mel thought that was a pity.

“What about you…. My Lady?”
“What about me?” Mel asked amused.
“You’re not a Zaunite, are you?” he asked sheepishly and she blinked in amusement.
“Sharp, aren’t you?” she smirked and he blushed in embarrassment. It was obvious she wasn’t Zaunite. She did not have the darkness in their eyes. Nor did she look like them, exactly. Zaunites had a very distinct look, it was what easily separated them from Piltovians. It was why they had been branded monsters.

Beauty standards were different for Zaun. Piltovians favoured the blessed and pure human-like look. The more human one appeared, the higher their status in Piltovian society…. Her thoughts were drawn again by Jayce’s appearance.
Leprechaun he had said. He looked nothing like that. Then again, the Piltovian aristocracy were also marked by magical powers. It seemed her slave had none.
“I am not from Zaun, I am from Noxus,” she smiled in amusement at her embarrassed slave. “Pulled from my continent for-“
“Love?” he asked curiously, his breath held and she stared at him.

Love?

“Well, something like that,” she grinned, not wanting to dash his child-like assumption. It was not like she hated her husband; he was very dear to her. They could be more…. if he would just let her in.
They had taken a long enough rest and she pushed to her feet.

“Do you like to draw, Jayce?”
“I only do rough sketches,” he admitted; startled when she presented a sketch pad and a pen. He took it gingerly and she smiled kindly.
“Would you like to learn?”
She had nothing better to do anyway. To her pleasure, he took her up on her offer.

If art was a window to one’s soul, then Jayce’s soul was the type to linger on details. He was the type to spend hours on one sketch. Sometimes drawing nothing for a few moments but after a while his pen would find the paper and bring the art to life. For his projects, he started with small and simple things. A basket of oranges, a mug in the corner, he slowly moved on to flowers, taking longer to ensure that he captured their beauty. When he needed guidance, Mel was happy to provide.
She painted many-a-picture of him just sitting in her studio sketching. Jayce had started spending more and more time in her studio. If he wasn’t in his bedroom, she would find him curled up somewhere in the studio sketching or reading his lesson notes.

As for his lessons, Jayce was doing very well. The final exam was coming up and he studied surprisingly hard for it. Mel chuckled sometimes when she watched him, guessing he was an overachiever as a student.
She was not surprised to see that he had top scores in the exam Elora set out for him, but Elora was very impressed. Jayce had not gotten a single question wrong. He was so proud that he presented his results to Mel, grinning from ear to ear.

“This is indeed an achievement, Jayce,” Mel chuckled as she looked through the questions and answers. “You must have properly familiarised yourself with the female anatomy by now.”
“The honour should go to the Lady Elora, she is an excellent teacher,” Jayce beamed with pride. He couldn’t stop grinning as he had worked very hard to make them both proud. It was not like the exam was too hard, he had faced worse under stricter lecturers. Plus, when he’d started treating the lessons like a medical course, instead of Intimacy 101, he had been able to put his all into it. Mel did seem rather pleased and she beamed at him which made his heart beat faster.

“Then I believe you must be ready for your practical,” she smiled.
“My what-?” Jayce gaped and Mel laughed, her hand ghosting over her lips as her eyes sparkled in wicked amusement.
“You didn't think you'd graduate without seeing if you actually paid attention, did you?” she smirked as she folded the test results away. “It’s one thing to memorise, it’s another to execute.”
“Oh,” Jayce blushed, fidgeting from foot-to-foot as the meaning of her words rocketed through him.
“Practice makes perfect,” she winked and he gulped. It would be his first time.

Jayce couldn’t sleep that night.

At this point he had already spent close to a month in Mel’s service and he’d mostly come to terms with his new, though hopefully temporary, life. There were worse things in this world than being a noble lady’s side piece, even if she was married, and though he was bashful to admit, a part of him was giddy at having such a beautiful woman be his first time. The last thing he wanted was to disappoint her.
He tossed and he turned as he thought about it.

An exam. It made sense for there to be an exam. If he proved to be inefficient, he would go right back to the drawing board and classes with Elora. To his former self, that would seem an ingenious plan. If he just went on failing at the lessons, he would keep getting sent back to Elora, back to the drawing board, and he could avoid the life of a sex slave altogether.
But he was not just Mel’s sex slave.

Jayce’s hands tightened in the sheets as he thought of that. Despite being physically attracted to him, she had made no attempts to harass or assault him despite the length of time they spent together alone in the art studio. No touch would be inappropriate when it came to a slave and legally, he was hers to do with as she liked. She was training him for bedroom activities …. but she had also taught him to draw.
His mind lingered on that; on the fond memories he shared with her in the studio. The scent of her floral perfume lingered on his skin and the hand that held his was so small, so warm. When her chest pressed gently against his arm his face would heat up but she paid him no mind, focused on the lesson she taught. She was beauty and grace with an enchanting smile that stole his breath away; and she was so kind, even when she did not need to be.

Unconsciously, he’d started wanting to impress her. He had taken his lessons seriously and he had an exam for the next day. Besides, exacting his plan would be of no benefit to him; what if Elora tired of teaching him? There was nothing more frustrating than a student that did not learn. Few lecturers had patience for someone like that, there would even be less patience for a slave. Should they grow tired of him, hoping they would send him back to Singed was wishful thinking. Plus, he had not left this manor or seen anyone else besides Mel and Elora in a month. The servants were reclusive and almost always in hiding, and the master of the house seemed like a ghost story. No wonder the lady of the house had needed to buy entertainment.
Jayce’s hands curled into determined fists because entertain her he would. He would impress her, and wow her, and become her favourite of whatever she desired him to be. Then, she might pull him with her to a space where other nobles existed and then he could market shimmer. He would never forget his goal.

It was with determination that Jayce slept and then rose to face the next day, going over his notes twice before Elora came for him. The bathroom in his room meant he was now allowed to bathe himself in privacy, a development that brought him so much relief that he nearly wept the first time it was granted.
He’d had breakfast in the art studio, studying furiously the entire time, though heat rose to his cheeks when he noticed Mel giggling as she watched him. Was she unaware how much performance anxiety he had just looking at her?
Either way, he could not give up now.

The exam would take place that night so he had the whole day to prepare. He spent all day studying and re-reading, going over notes again and again and again. After a while, Jayce closed his book.

Elora was a great teacher, but there were only so much words could do for him. If he truly wanted to do a good job, then he needed to know the target and hazard a guess at their bedroom preferences.

“Brain drain?” Mel teased as she brought him a glass of orange juice and he accepted it with a bow and a blush. She really should not be bringing drinks for a slave…. though he guessed he was more like a pet.
“A break in between seemed the best option right now,” he admitted with a small nervous smile. The noble watched him, her gaze almost predatory as he struggled not to choke on his juice.
“How…. how is the art coming along?” he asked, desperate to change the subject.

That question seemed to make her eyes sparkle and she turned the canvas around for him to see. Now that made him choke on his drink. Jayce found his breath stolen by how…good she had made him look.

It was him, a picture of him seated before her, relaxed on the sofa, brow furrowed in concentration as he flipped through his lesson notes. She had painted in the huge windows behind him that concentrated light on his form like a spotlight, his skin of gold glowing in the light. Jayce had never seen himself portrayed in such a way and for a moment he could not breathe. He looked healthy. Not as healthy as he had been before but he was not malnourished or beaten, his eyes were not empty, haunted or ill. He was drawn as she saw him, and in her eyes… he was beautiful. It was a picture so pretty that his first instinct was to show it to his mother and that almost brought tears to his eyes.

“Is that me?” he gasped, mouth going dry.
“Don’t you like it?” she asked softly, peeking at him and then back at the painting.
Oh, he liked it. He dared say that he might like it too much.
“It’s beautiful,” he said when he finally caught his breath and he looked to her in awe. “I-“ Jayce hesitated. “Thank you.”

Mel blinked in surprise.
“I-“
Thank you? Now that left her speechless. She had always just painted for her own pleasure. It took her mind off the stress and helped her focus during difficult times. It had been no more than a hobby, a talent that her mother barely acknowledged. Besides, with a muse as beautiful as Jayce she could not resist painting him over and over again. This one had to be her favourite piece, capturing him in his study with his legs crossed as he sat, muscular and perfect, like an angel from above. She could see why hybrids had thought themselves superior, they were indeed exceptionally beautiful.

Thank you.

Mel did not know how to react to such a response. No one had ever thanked her for a picture. It made her blush.
“Would you like to keep it?” she found herself asking without thinking.
“Eh?” Jayce blinked surprised and she blushed.
“I- I mean-“
He had never seen his lady flustered before. Her gaze flying anywhere but at him and her cheeks high as she struggled to stop smiling. His heart beat faster as he took in the amazing sight and he wished he could be cool and reassuring in this moment, but he was flustered too.

“I- I actually-“ he flushed as he tried to speak. “
“Y-you could hang it in your room?”
“Isn’t it a little egotistical to have a painting of myself in my room,” he spluttered and she laughed. It was an amused snort which then devolved into little giggles that had his face burning. His fingers curled shyly in his lap and she patted his shoulder with a smile.

“Then, we can just leave it here, so that we both can enjoy it,” she grinned and Jayce nodded, his hair flopping up and down as she grinned at him, ruffling his hair till he was blushing silly.
It was a beautiful painting.

*******

That evening, the exam was to take place. Jayce swallowed his nerves and made himself ready. There was a small special room set aside for its purpose and he was giddy as he got himself ready. He had washed his face and hands multiple times, pacing the room as he waited for his partner to come to him.
He could barely calm his nerves but he did not dare let performance anxiety get to him.
Suddenly, the door was thrown open and Jayce sunk to the bed, sitting as his legs gave out now that the time had come. To his surprise, the person that approached him was not Mel.

“Jayce, right?” the stranger crowed with a smile as they stepped into the room. It was a tall woman, draped in furs, moving smoothly like a cat. She was a cat, a Zaunite.
“They mentioned you were handsome,” the Zaunie purred with a teasing smile as she let the fur fall from her shoulders. “Had I known how handsome, I'd have asked them to elaborate a bit more.”

“Oh.” Jayce could barely keep the surprise from his voice as he stared at her, cheeks flushed as he shifted nervously. “I thought-“ He had thought his bed partner would be Mel. It seemed the examiner could read his mind and she chuckled with dark amusement.

“Not until you graduate,” she chuckled and now met him by the bed, raising an amused brow as he visibly gulped. “The name’s Lest by the way.” Her eyes ran over him and his eyes ran over her, building the lust they would need for the activity set before them.
“What’s wrong Piltie?” Lest asked as she grinned predatorily. “Scared of a little fang?” As she spoke, she showed off her sharp teeth and he shivered, though not in fear he realised, and that realisation emboldened him. Jayce pushed closer to her, brow set in determination and she smirked with amusement, a paw settling over his chest, feeling the rapid beat of his heart as she smiled in amusement.

“Now,” Lest cocked her head, all of her words a seductive purr as her lips grazed his ear. “Let me see what you can do.”

**************

Mel was surprised to hear the door of her art studio open. It was quite early for Jayce to already be done with his exam. She was even more surprised when her husband came into view.
“Rare for you to visit,” she noted with a pleased smile, abandoning the art she’d been working on to swivel and face him. Her husband shrugged, his pace slow and casual as he was supported by his staff to aid his bad leg.
“Sometimes I get free time from the lab,” he replied and she grinned in response.

She had stayed up a little later than usual because of Jayce’s exam, so of course her husband was up. Still, it was rare for him to see her out. So late at night, she relied on the fluorescent lighting that he had fixed into the roof. The light illuminated his pale skin and purple robes, sharp golden eyes were his brightest features. Her husband was an exquisite sight himself if he ever stayed still long enough to be painted.

“What are you working on? Something fun?” she asked, her focus now entirely on him. He was a rare sighting these days, always happened when he was fixated on a breakthrough.
“Something like that,” he mumbled as he surveyed her work.
“You know I'd like to help,” Mel said softly with a small pout. “All you have to do is reach out.”
“I know my darling,” he said almost immediately, finally raising his head to meet her gaze with a small smile. “But you're also aware that our powers don't exactly ....mix.”

His darling wife blew out a very frustrated breath of air and he smiled at her reaction. Mel always wanted to help; she could not help herself. While he was grateful for her tenacity, his work was not exactly where her talents lay. Sometimes he even doubted his own talents, his progress had finally come to a standstill, he needed a break outside of the lab. Perhaps a different environment would inspire him so he sought her out, surprised to find her not in the bedroom but in her own den of creativity.
As he surveyed her work, he slowed when he came upon one in particular. The painting of a young man who had been seated in this very room.

For a moment, Viktor was speechless. He had seen Mel’s art before, he knew she was a genius with anything related to colour. However, he had truly underestimated her with how quickly this art piece stole his heart. It was soft, gentle, and painted with so much love that he almost felt the slightest bit of envy clench at his heart. Yet how could he be envious when the picture professed an undebatable truth? This man was …. Beautiful. The man’s dark hair shone in the light, Viktor had never seen him in the sun's light before. The light made his golden skin glow like melted caramel or perhaps honey. He looked good enough to eat even.
Mel noticed him gaping. She moved so silently and gracefully that he hadn’t noticed her standing beside him till she spoke.

“Exquisite isn't he,” Mel chuckled.
He was. Viktor could not think of a decent argument against that as he studied the picture, though his gaze was drawn to the collar around the boy’s neck.

“Your slave boy.” He had almost completely forgotten that Mel had one now. She inched closer, her hand settling on his shoulder.
“He's more than just a slave,” she said, her voice filled with pride. “Talented, a fast learner, highly intelligent. I dare say he might be of great use to you if you tried.”
“I wouldn't want to deprive you of his services,” Viktor chuckled.
“Wouldn't be deprived if we shared,” Mel smirked in response and Viktor could not help but chuckle in amusement.

Though married, he and his wife had never performed sexual intimacy. Viktor had not wanted to force her and she had never asked. After months of nothing, it seemed like they probably never would, something they had both silently accepted. Fortunately, Zaun culture did not need a consummation for the marriage to be legal and Viktor had little need for heirs as they would both live a very long time. Surely, this sort of life was satisfactory, especially as his wife had permission to find her own pleasure.

Viktor pulled back, much to Mel’s disappointment, but he took her hand in his and leaned in to place a gentle kiss on her hand. It was his love, his reassurance that he did not hate her, that he always thought of her. Mel accepted the kiss, treasured it, but as he pulled away, she wished he would let her take care of him.

“Good night my darling,” he said with a nod.
“You’re turning in early tonight?” Mel asked surprised.
“I’m going for a fly,” he said as he headed out. “I might return late.”

“Goodnight, my love,” Mel sighed as he walked away. Then she turned back to the painting, to Jayce. Her hand caressed the art piece gently, recalling his thanks, which made her smile return. She wondered how he was doing in his exam.

Jayce also had the same question.
Following bedroom etiquette he had managed to stay awake to perform a decent amount of aftercare, though breathing heavily through most of it. Lest looked surprised that he bothered at all.

“Shouldn’t you be the one getting pampered around here?” she teased.
“I am to serve,” Jayce panted as he tucked her into the covers, ensuring that she was warm before he awkwardly wrapped his arms around her. For a moment, he was unsure what to do with his head as he lay at an odd angle and did not want to rest on her bosom. So, he shifted around a bit so his head could reach the pillow and then relaxed, lashes fluttering with the urge to close and drift off. He could only hope he performed well.
He caught the cat lady watching him with amusement twinkling in her eyes and he wondered if that was a good sign.

“Jayce.”
“Yes ma’am?”
“Roll over,” she commanded with a smile and he swallowed thickly. He had not calculated for the possibility of her regaining strength after a moment of rest. Still, he was ever obedient so he did as she asked and awaited instruction. Her hand brushed over his sweat-soaked chest and he could barely contain the rapid beat of his heart. He had no strength left, he would have to improvise to meet her needs but he would find a way-
“There,” Lest said softly, shifting Jayce to his surprise. He was rolled to the side and she wrapped her arms around him, pulling his back to her soft bosom. “Is that not much more comfortable?”

It was. It really was.
A flush appeared on his cheeks and he hesitated before gently touching the arm around him. It was comfortable.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m sure,” Lest chuckled in amusement. He could still scent the smoke on her breath, he’d even tasted it. His face flushed at the memory but the bed was so soft and warm against his aching muscles, his lashes fluttering as sleep stole him away.
“Thank you,” he managed to mumble before he shut his eyes for the night.

The Zaunite held him in her arms, amusement in her features. She held him close until his breathing evened and his heart beat relaxed. When he was truly fast asleep, Lest rose from the bed and redressed, wrapping the slave in the warm thick blankets to help him stay warm.

“Not bad for an amateur,” was her greeting when Mel opened the door. Her friend’s golden eyes sparkled in glee.
“A little shy at first but very determined, and a little bit of guidance goes a long way,” Lest continued as Mel strode within, moving silently so as not to wake Jayce. It never ceased to amaze the Zaunite how her friend could move as silently as a cat.

“Satisfactory?” Mel asked curiously with a slight cock of her head as she regarded Jayce’s sleeping form.
“More than I anticipated,” Lest grinned and Mel raised a brow with a small noise of protest.
“Relax,” Lest grinned and chuckled as she pulled her vape but Mel snatched that immediately. Lest rolled her eyes but she knew the rules. No smoking in the house, Mel’s husband was sensitive. “If you must know, I didn’t fuck him. He remains a virgin.” Then she smirked. “In more ways than one.”

“That’s just how we need him, thank you very much,” Mel smiled and paid Lest accordingly. Of course, the cat did not leave before counting her earnings.

“He’s great with his mouth.”

“Must you go into detail? He’s sleeping right here.”

“But do try to be gentle, Mel. The boy is terrified.”

That surprised her. The lady of the house then glanced at her sleeping slave in surprise. He looked so at rest. As far as she had known, she had not seen Jayce express outright fear of anything, only uncertainty and anxiety at some times.

“What happened?”

“Nothing major,” Lest shrugged as she stuffed her money into her bra and stood smoothly with a grin. “But most slaves don’t expect their pleasure or safety to be considered by their owners.” Mel’s gaze softened with understanding. They were both aware of Lest’s history. Due to her unique skills, her friend had mingled in and out of crowds of Piltover elite. The knowledge she had gained had helped bring them down. Despite her past, she did not hate all of them.

“Just be gentle,” Lest said as she headed for the door.
“Will do,” Mel smiled as she escorted her out. Lest chuckled and glanced back at the sleeping man.

“Any luck in getting your husband interested?” Lest grinned and Mel sighed.
“Viktor is…. stubborn….” she pouted.
“Maybe he doesn’t like sex. There’re types like that,” Lest pointed out.
“Even if he does, companionship doesn’t hurt,” Mel rolled her eyes.
“How do you know this is his type though?” Lest glanced back and Mel smirked, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

“Trust me,” she said and winked at her friend. “I know.”

*******

Jayce woke in his room, lashes fluttering as the light from the curtains landed on his face. He groaned and turned in the bed, hiding away from the light just to turn and find Mel smiling at him.

“Good morning sleepy head.”
“Gah!”
He nearly fell off the bed.

He would have fallen off the bed, but the bed was so large.
“Mistress! I mean- my lady!” he gasped as he pulled the covers around him, much to her amusement and she giggled as his face flushed. He was still nude so he pulled the covers even higher, his face burning all the while.

“Your test results came in today,” Mel teased and Jayce gulped.
“H-How did I do?” he asked and she held up a paper she had made Lest sign.
“A+” Mel winked and Jayce gaped at her, eyes bright with joy. So, he was still such a student type that high marks meant this much to him. It was adorable.

“The script says,” she sat up to read it to him in delight. “The subject was as pliant as a marshmallow and just as delicious.”
“Wha-“ Jayce turned tomato red when he recalled what he was being tested for.
“With a rod so firm and skilled that it could cure cancer,” she grinned.
“Does it actually say that?” he wailed and snatched the paper in horror, reading through it and chuckling when he saw it was just marked ‘A+’ with a bunch of checkboxes for virility, stamina, size, and stamina. Jayce flushed when he noted all boxes had been ticked with the highest rating.
“There… there’s no way.” Sure, he’d tried his best but there had to be some lies in the script. The examiner had done way better than him.

“That’s what I was thinking,” Mel agreed with a dramatic sigh. “So, let’s get you some breakfast, and then we can confirm.”
“What?” Jayce blinked and she leaned in with a grin as her words sunk in.
“Oh my, you don’t think I spent all that money to not use what I bought do you?” she grinned, circling her finger on his chest as his face heated. “I need to be sure I got my money’s worth, plus we need to celebrate your all-around success.”
“Yes, my lady,” Jayce nodded bashfully, blankets still held up to cover him like he was a shy maiden, she found it all so adorable.
“There’s no need to be so formal when we get down to it,” she laughed as she hopped to her feet and skipped to the door. She paused at the door, turning sensually to flutter her eyelashes at him. “When we are alone, and it is just the two of us. You can call me, Mel.”
With that, she stepped out and shut the door.

Jayce was stupefied as he stared after her in shock, his face flushed, his mouth gaping as he tried to compute all that happened. Ah, she had left the script with him, that was so embarrassing. He tossed it aside and slapped his cheeks with his hands.
A first-name basis. He was to be on a first-name basis with his Master, he had not even done so with Singed. His heart was beating a mile a minute and goosebumps danced all over his flesh.

“Mel.”

He practiced saying the name alone by himself and got so flustered that he fell over gushing and hiding in the blankets. Then he recalled that she was waiting for him. She said she was going to…… today. His head nearly exploded with anxiety and he hurried to his feet, tripping over the blankets and then hit the floor with a loud thud.
Jayce let himself lay on the ground for a while to clear his head as he stared out into the roof.

This was insane.

His hands raised to cover his blushing face.

The new life that he was living was totally insane.

Chapter Text

The first time Jayce pulled her into a hug, Mel found herself frozen in place.

That day, she had just returned from the long and stressful outing that took her outside of the manor.

In the past, she had embarked on many of those in a quest to find anything within the landscape of Zaun that could catch her interest. The science fares had been intriguing initially, but no creation was as fine as anything her husband made. The slave markets had been wretched and she could not bear the sight of them. She’d feared that if she lingered near the area for longer than a second, Viktor would find his solitary manor flooded with the crying voices of many young slave children.

However, since acquiring Jayce, she had little reason now to venture far from home. Her new prize was a delight and a masterpiece for intellectual conversation as well as deep insightful pillow talk. Showing talents in art, craft, and literature, he was a dedicated student and had finally strayed out of drawing objects. Sometimes she would steal a glance at him trying to sketch her likeness into his journals. His work still had the unrefined strokes of an amateur but he had made much progress in his art and spent most of his time jotting and drawing in her studio, even in her absence.

He'd been there when had returned from a mandatory house meeting, which featured a debate over something political. Since marriage, Mel had been representing Viktor in these meetings and her duties began mere weeks after their union. It had been awkward at first for her and the other Barons of Zaun, but her training in Noxus had sharpened her mind. It only took winning a few debates with the Barons of Zaun to have them accept her as Viktor’s voice.

Viktor’s voice in frivolous and repetitive conversations.

The more of those meetings Mel attended, the more she understood why her husband had been thrilled to dump such responsibilities on her. Viktor was reclusive on even the best of days and he could use his irregular sleep pattern as an excuse to never have to participate in them. This, of course, left Mel interacting with people she barely knew in a world that she was just getting used to. So often, she slunk home from those meetings just eager to get away from them and the dizzying dynamics of Zaun politics that seemed borderline violent. Sometimes it felt the only reason they’d never come to straight-up blows during a discussion was because no one dared to challenge the Kings.

Back to the hug.

Mel had just returned from a very long, dreary, and pointless meeting. The meeting almost seemed unnecessary since Zaun ran a diplomatic monarchy, with the Kings’ words being law. However, it was not odd for the Barons to be drawn out to meetings like this and Mel could admit she understood the wisdom behind it.

It was a show of power that at its heart sought different opinions, but was also an avenue for the Kings to get an update from the Barons; to ensure Zaun remained as one, working smoothly and uninterrupted.

Her update was the same, Viktor remained working on a breakthrough but there had been none just yet and he was not the type to stop working until he had found one. The Zaun leaders understood that, though some joked that they couldn’t understand how her husband could be so focused on work when he had a beautiful gem like her by his side.
It would have been a funny joke if the same thoughts had not plagued her mind long after their marriage.

A native of Noxus, she was not of Zaun beauty standards. She probably looked more Piltovian than anything. Sometimes she wondered if he even liked the sight of her……..

“You’re back!”

Jayce’s joy-filled greeting snapped her out of her melancholy and Mel smiled, features softening to see him stand as soon as he saw her.

Jayce.

He was a light that now filled her previously exhausting time here. Sometimes just the sight of him lifted a heavy burden from her shoulders, and she approached him with a smile, but he came at her faster than she had expected. So fast that she found herself unconsciously slowing but he caught her anyway.

The noble lady was shocked to find herself pulled into his warm embrace, a happy laugh leaving his lips as he held her close and so tight like he was trying to merge them into one.

Her heart stuttered and a gasp was caught in her throat when he pulled back with a bright smile; Elora standing stupefied at the door. Still, Jayce was oblivious, large calloused hands gently rubbing her shoulders as he grinned down at her.

“Welcome back, my lady.”

Mel was speechless.

Since they had proceeded with intimacy, Jayce had grown more and more comfortable touching her, even outside of bedroom activities. It had started small; a brush of a hand here, a hand lingering on her back or shoulder. The most surprising had been him laying his head on her lap while she rested, focused on the sketch that he barely took his eyes off, completely oblivious to her shocked face.

‘Welcome back’

“I-“ Mel flushed. “Thank you.”
No one had said that before, not in that way…. Not anymore.
Perhaps in the past, she could still recall whispers of her mother’s embrace when she had been but a girl. There had been her father’s arms too, as well as her brother’s. Before their father died, when things had been simpler and she was allowed her innocence and ignorance.

These days her mother would greet her with a nod or a proud smile when she returned from a conquest, hailing the room into singing and drunkenness in a victory celebration. Her brother smiled and nodded respectfully, though he’d been prone to more shoulder jabs and hugs when they had been younger. Even in Zaun, her husband was curt and polite, often greeting her with a soft smile, barely looking up from his work.

In all of her relationships, everyone was disciplined, respectful and controlled. They led the room; they used posture to stake their claim over power and they held it with grace and perfectness. It was not at all the rumble and tumble of Jayce’s embrace that bled warmth and love. His hands rubbed gently at her back like he aimed to soothe her pain and he held her for longer than she had expected. His warmth brought weakness to her bones and she had to fight the urge to not just melt into his hold.

He had thought of her. He had missed her.

Mel’s face warmed and so did her heart as she stepped back when faced with Jayce’s confusion at her silence.

“The meeting took longer than I expected,” she said with a breathless laugh.

Of course, he missed her; he was trapped in a life similar to hers and she was the only one he could talk to. It was nothing to be flustered about, yet her hand tucked a hair behind her ear and she smiled.

“What did you discuss this time?” Jayce asked curiously as he lingered near her and she shrugged with a smile.
“Politics.” Politics was a forbidden topic among them, Jayce knew not to pry.
“You’ve been gone since breakfast, you must be starving,” Jayce noted with a frown.
“I am,” Mel admitted as she realised that she was indeed hungry. She glanced at her frozen maidservant and shook her head to dispel her worries. It had indeed been forward for her slave to embrace her like that, but she did not…..hate it. Elora bowed, dismissed to fetch some servants with food and Mel turned grinning to Jayce. “We are alone.”

“I’ve missed you, Mel,” he said shyly, reclaiming the journal he had dropped and holding it to his chest with a shy blush. He was still shy about using her name outside of the bedroom.
It was one thing to suspect it, but to hear him say it filled Mel with so much warmth that her golden freckles and shoulders began to glow. The lady of the house grinned, walking briskly to Jayce to pull him into a kiss and so quickly that embrace returned. He kissed her, soft, gentle, respectful, and when they pulled away, he was smiling, beaming at her like she was……everything.
Her heart beat faster in her chest.

It was a foolish relationship to have with a slave of all people. He smiled at her like they were lovers; a dangerous position for a married woman. Even more dangerous of all, she smiled back in the exact same way.

Perhaps they could be lovers, in the fantasy that they shared in her heart.

*****

Jayce’s relationship with Mel was…complicated. He had not expected it to be so complicated. He had actually not expected much at all.

At first, the basic description of his primary role in this manor was that he was to be her sex slave. Those had been his expectations. His duties would be to wait on her hand and foot, to harken to every beck and call, to be worked so ragged and used so filthily till he could not tell the difference between himself and a wet reg.
These expectations that had kept him from rest on various nights, had been completely dashed, and he was not at all regretful about that.

Mel did not treat him like a wet rag, a shocking development that had started to make more sense the more he got to know her. He was her entertainment and she meant that to extend outside the bedroom services he provided, though he did provide a lot of bedroom services. It made him blush just thinking about it.

He had been nervous at first, worried about disappointing her and getting thrown out. He wanted to prove that he could listen, worried that her beautiful dark brows would twist into an unsatisfied frown, sealing his fate as a failure. She had turned out to be kinder than he expected. A master guiding him through the steps wherever he stumbled.

He learnt quickly the spots that helped her relax and the spots that made her laugh when she needed to let out a bit of stress. Jayce had never forgotten how to learn and he found that quick learning was a vital skill when serving in the household of the elite. In two nights, he’d learnt how to please her, but she never ceased to find new ways to render him speechless.

That, he had also not expected. Jayce had thought it his duty to put on a performance. Imagine his surprise when she suddenly joined the dance; and Mel was a very versatile dancer.

Frequently, he spent time entertaining her in bed to the point that they’d even started small games like moaning competitions and seeing how loud and long they could get each other moaning. Mel always won…much to his embarrassment, but one time he’d come really close.

Sometimes, when they lay in bed together, they did not even engage in sex. They would just….talk. They talked about anything and everything. Her favourite colour, what he’d spent the day doing and what she had spent the day doing.
Mel found Zaun fascinating. He saw that in the twinkle of her eyes when she spoke about the markets and the new world structure. It did not sound so different from Piltover had been, but the Zaunites would insist that it was better. Their people were free now, and they walked the streets unhidden and unashamed with only the Pilties in chains……

Mel’s voice would trail off at that point of the conversation and it disappointed him so. He wanted to hear about it, the outside world that Zaun had created, as he had not seen much of it outside of the market near Singed’s little home.

Mel had spoken of houses big enough to touch the clouds to home draconian-sized Zaunites and large water tanks that housed merpeople walking among others. Jayce wanted to ask how people who were one-half tail even walked around the busy streets, but Mel’s husband had apparently designed a handy device, much like a wheelchair. Instead of using wheels, the machine had four mechanical legs that marched the mermen around. Sometimes, the merpeople didn’t even need the chair and the wealthier population utilised the alternative metal wings, also designed by the Machine Herald.

Jayce thought that was ingenious and wanted to hear more, but Mel always stopped at the point about the slaves. It was such a pity as he’d been hoping to hear if there was perhaps anyone familiar. Though, as a free Piltovian, he had not known many people.

Sometimes she would drift off midsentence and he would just….watch her. He did not know if he was allowed to do that, but the lady had not made any rules against it. She looked so soft when she slept, younger, like a little lady lost in a world that she did not understand. Perhaps she was. Seeing her look so small made him wonder why her husband was never there. After being with her for almost two months, her husband was starting to sound like a ghost story. Perhaps all of his fame and fortune and title had been left to her.

But they had married recently, did that theory even make sense?
Not really, then perhaps he was on a business trip.

Even so, why then had he left his young wife behind? She looked so lonely all the time while she rested that Jayce would unconsciously pull her into his arms, tucking her smaller form into his warm embrace, and Mel never pulled away.

Perhaps he was too forward, perhaps his actions were too forward for a slave and a master. But Mel never pulled away….and the line between master and slave began to blur.
It could be that all the touching in the bedroom had taken over his senses and he would find himself reaching for her even outside of their nightly activities. A gentle hand on her shoulder, a hand nudging against hers, and sometimes squeezing her small warm hands in his bigger hold. Worse still, she never discouraged him, never pushed him away. She held tight to him, squeezing his hand gently and linking his fingers with hers.

They had long since crossed the line of what was supposed to be appropriate between master and slave, but the collar around his neck made sure Jayce never took the final step off the limitations of his reality. The nights that he would sometimes spend alone in his room, watching the leaves blow in the cold evening wind, reminded him of Rio and his objective in coming there.

Mel, as fond as he was of her, as much as his heart ached at the thought of her, was his Master. He was hers to use and to dispose of when she saw fit, as easily as Singed had disposed of him. As long as he was Piltovian and they lived in Zaun, that would never change.

His hands gripped the edge of the sill as he stared out at the wind and he shook dark thoughts from his head, reminding himself that Singed had not discarded him. His former master had sent him with a goal. If he completed that goal, then he could go home.
But now Jayce was torn on the meaning of home.

On one hand, he missed Rio. He missed his access to the forge; he missed his small room and the warm kitchen where he could make meals that he actually enjoyed eating.
But if he were to leave this dark manor and the life he’d been living, then what would happen to Mel? The lady of the mechanical manor, as Jayce had now realised that a large number of the staff were mechanical or had one mechanical limb or the other. What face would the usually composed lady make if Singed really did return to buy him back? Would her lips round in a betrayed ‘o’ as she looked between him and the old wispy mage? Would her brows draw into a neat frown as it did when she faced a hurdle she found annoying? Would she even sell him?

Jayce did not know the answers to these questions and he sighed tiredly as his head rested against the window sill, the cool breeze making a mess of his hair but that really did not matter. It would be combed to perfection in the morning.
No matter the illusion or softness their relationship held, as long as he wore that collar, he would remain Mel’s perfect doll. The question of his ownership was something he never had a choice on, and his hands curled into fists.

Somehow, more worrying than a future he could not predict, was the plate of cheese that sat by his head on the sill. Now Jayce glanced at it, his gaze bleak and worried.
It had been weeks since his little roommate had come around to say hi. Granted, he had been occupied with entertaining Mel, but when returned to his room, he looked forward to seeing his little friend again. Lately Jayce had been telling him, he assumed it was a him, about everything he’d gotten up to. Mooning to the little bat about Mel.
Jayce’s face flushed and he pressed it again against the window sill with a sad groan.
Had the bat come by some misfortune?

Just thinking about that made his stomach turn and he looked hopefully into the sky for the sight of that familiar flying form, swooping in for his desert. It had been two weeks and not a sight of him, Jayce felt anxious.
Had the bat perhaps gotten tired of listening to him talk about Mel? Had he served it a bad desert? Had it gotten tired of coming into an empty room and had it just stopped coming back?
Did you leave me too?

His big thumbs rubbed gently against the small plate of food on his lap, anxiety making his heart beat faster.
It was pathetic to cry over a bat, but Jayce could barely stop the tears.

Little V had been his friend, yet, just like the small plate of cheese would be gone when the maids cleaned the next day, the little bat was proving to be just like everything in his life these days…..

Temporary.

*****

Life moved on in the Manor he lived in. Although Jayce was treated less like a slave by the people around him, there were still certain restrictions. Most of the servants in the house seemed to avoid talking to him more than necessary. He worried that had something to do with his status as a slave, or his status as Mel’s bed partner.

When he was not in his room, he was in her studio, and he got bored very quickly when she was not around. He could see the entire world from her roof-to-floor studio windows, but it seemed to only work in one direction and he could not interact with the world outside, so the windows could only provide so much entertainment.

Sometimes he tried recreating her work, and almost always failed, but the time he spent over each picture helped to burn time until Mel returned. He missed her greatly, perhaps because she’d become all that he had these days.
One time, by luck he found a means of entertainment; a novel abandoned behind one of the chairs.

A book.

It had been ages since Jayce read something that had not been written by himself. It was intriguing to find a work of fiction as he’d rarely dabbled in them in his youth. All he had was time now and he found himself quickly getting lost in the pages.

“What are you doing?” Mel asked, suddenly popping up behind him and scaring him half to death.
“Oh my God!” He had not even heard her come in.

Jayce was flustered as she sat up in the chair, finding his Mistress just hovering behind the sofa with an amused brow raised. He dropped the book instantly, face burning as he wrung his hands, worried that he’d done something wrong.

“I’m sorry,” he apologised quickly with a nervous gulp. “I did not mean to touch it without your permission but you were not here and I was….”
“Do you like to read?” Mel asked curiously and he flushed.

Did he love to read?
Reading was his whole life. He missed books and it felt like years since he’d had access to any proper study items. Reading, writing, discovery, an eruption of words was dying to burst forth from his lips but he could only shyly nod, scared of getting in trouble. He had been a Piltovian researcher. Although he’d been a student, he was not sure a Zaun Master would take kindly to that.
However, it caught him off guard when she smiled and took his hand.

“I also like to read,” Mel said as she led her flustered slave. He looked so nervous he probably thought that he was going to get punished, the poor dear. “I do not read very often, but I happen to know something you just might like.”

The last thing Jayce expected was to be led to a room so grand it stood nearly twenty feet tall. A room full of rows and rows of really tall shelves, with two floors dedicated to them, with accessible staircases and ladders at every corner, each shelf laden with a treasure of books.

Jayce’s jaw hit the floor, his eyes widening in marvel at the polished wood of the shelves, the scent of them washing over him like a gentle caress. Paper, hardcovers, everything he wanted and more arranged by subject and area of study. The boy looked like he was trying to drink in the entire sight at once and keep it in his heart forever.
With a triumphant grin, Mel tugged Jayce forward and he followed like he was in a trance.

“My husband-“
“He made this too,” he said and she blinked in surprise before grinning in triumph. Jayce was starting to recognise the man’s work. Polished and perfect with not a thing out of place, not a speck of dust on the floors or on a single book even though there was no way that he touched every area every day.

“It’s incredible,” Jayce breathed like a prayer and he felt like he could fall to his knees at any second, head craned up as he stared at the books and the skylight open above. Jayce frowned as he stared at the glass roof that let the sun’s light stream into the library, illuminating every corner.

“What do you do when the night falls?” Jayce asked curiously.
“Reading lamps are usually provided,” Mel hummed and Jayce blinked.
“Usually?” he asked with a confused smile and Mel grinned. Viktor never really needed them; her husband could read in the dark just fine.
Mel tugged him all the way to the fictional section and then she paused, eyes scrutinizing his reaction.

“This is where I got that book, I meant to return it,” she said, carefully raising the book and slipping it into its perfect place on the shelf. The books had been arranged by height. Jayce marvelled at each clean and polished row, the books standing like soldiers in a line.
“I take it you might find interest reading something else?” Mel smiled and Jayce’s eyes sparkled. He felt breathless.

“You- Do you really mean it?” he gasped in excitement, a big grin on his face. “I can-“ He could barely compute it. “But these books-“
“Could do with some reading anyway,” Mel smiled softly. “My husband would be pleased to see his collection being put to use.” She turned back to the shelf, giddy with joy at how happy she’d made him. Jayce’s expression was lit like the sun and he walked slowly past each shelf, staring in awe, his hands lingering on the wood. He did not know where to start.
“Feel free to come and go in my absence,” she giggled, feeling almost guilty for earning so much of his praise and awe when Viktor had put the work in the library’s design. “But we have one rule.”

Jayce was to avoid all books on…. magic.
He would have been crestfallen if he did not have so much more that he could go through.
The rule was understandable. No matter how close he and Mel had become, he was still a slave from a house that could be considered one of Piltover’s former elites, the Talis heirloom proving that much. To allow a Piltovian slave access to magic was to basically ignite the flames of a revolution.

However, Jayce had no interest in a revolution or rebellion. He’d barely interacted with any other Piltovian slave as it was. Besides, his new home was ….. comfortable. Still, he understood why Mel could not take chances. It was just a royal shame.

Jayce had always been deeply in love with magic as a little boy. He’d taken his magic learning classes seriously, though at the end he’d been unable to use spells the way some of his classmates could. Instead, Jayce had found his talent in runes, a study that he had restarted during his eight years under Singed’s service. A study that was closed until further notice.

For now, Jayce was content, because there was so much more to read. History, science, arts, and humanities, though that last one was a bit difficult, he got better when Mel explained it to him. Of course, his Master would rather that he read fictional novels and Jayce did not mind delving into those too. The Machine Herald had a surprisingly grand collection of romance. Jayce soon found himself spending his time kicking his feet and giggling over the latest novel he’d picked up. It was even much more fun to share the read with Mel and tempt her into picking up the book as well so they could gush about the characters.

Access to the library changed his life forever and he no longer had to sit and wait quietly in the studio, because now he could just carry books from the library to Mel’s studio and read. Yes, he still preferred spending time in the studio. Only Mel and Elora had the key and he just felt safer there.

Of course, access to the library had come with just one price.
Jayce was surprised that Mel named a price at all. After all, the favour she requested of him was one that she could just command him to do, whether he wanted to or not.
He felt bashful that she had asked and that she really waited with bated breath for his response. With the promise of books, of course, he’d said ‘yes’ without any hesitation. The awkwardness did not set in until he was spread out on her sofa, blushing bashfully under the morning sun.

It was not his first time posing as her muse while resting leisurely on the sofa in her studio, lit by the light of the sun shining in from the windows. It just happened to be the first time that he was posing….. nude.

“Just stay still,” she encouraged and he nodded, caught himself nodding, flushed and tried again to stay still.
It was not rare for her to paint him, though this was the first time he’d be doing a painting so provocative.

“Embarrassed?” Mel chuckled as she noticed his fidgeting and he flushed even more.
“N-no,” Jayce mumbled as he tried and failed to stop blushing about this. He had never imagined in his life that he would be engaged in such a salacious painting. He was as bare as the day he’d been born, the only decency left to him being a thin blanket of Zaun colours spread over his lap that just barely covered his privates. The soft colours of the couch really brought out the shine of his skin and Mel may or may not have slightly enlarged his big naturals in her painting while darkening their peaked buds slightly. His Master was so focused. She had drawn him so often that she had almost become casual with it. But this was the first time she would capture him in a state of undress, and she was so focused that it was embarrassing.

“Where are you going to put this one?” he found himself asking, trying for casual conversation. He hoped not in the studio, it would be too embarrassing to come in here every day and see his unclothed likeness hanging from the wall.
“This one's a gift,” Mel replied with a smile and Jayce choked, feeling hesitant and uncertain.

A gift?

His complexion paled as he tried to imagine where such a gift could end up. His hand dug into the back of the chair and his other hand curled into an anxious fist, fearing the worst. The details of his current job could expand depending on who this painting was gifted to, and it made Jayce feel…anxious.

“Don't think too much about it. Just close your eyes,” his master said, her voice soft and soothing. She was unaware of the tension that had begun to build underneath his skin and the rapid way his heart was beating. However, he remained good at following orders and he stayed still, though that worry stayed living at the back of his mind.

The painting did not take long to finish, his master was the most skilled artist he’d ever met, and he was given grace to inspect it once she was done. His face flushed to see his depiction, a part of him suspecting that she had definitely made certain parts of him bigger than they were. Still, it was a beautiful painting and he gained access to the library just as she promised.

However, Jayce could not help but worry about who exactly received Mel’s gift.

******

Viktor was not the type to get jealous.

Well, he would like to believe that about himself.

Sitting in bed, he insisted that the feeling that caused a tightening in his chest could not possibly be jealousy. He was not the type to feel such an emotion as he was a greatly accomplished renowned inventor, treasured by the rulers of their nation, and his works were praised from far and wide.
So, it could not be envy that started a low growl in the depths of his mind every time his wife joined him in bed to praise the great talents of her new pet, oh no. He was just bored of hearing the same topic over and over again.

Bored of coming back to an empty bed on nights when Mel could not make herself available. She was sleeping in her own room, although she’d been the one to insist that they have a shared room and spend the nights together.
Bored of finding yet another letter informing him that his wife would be spending yet another night with her little Piltovian acquire.

What the actual fuck was so great about that slave anyway? She would not stop talking about him, and she would not stop asking him to meet him.

“Oh, please Viktor, I promise you won’t regret it,” she would coo at him on the nights that she bothered to show up in their shared room. The shared room that he just so happened to still be using, even on nights when she couldn’t make it. At least one of them cared to keep the other company.

Viktor was not possessive.

At the beginning of this union, he had long since come to terms with the idea that the woman he was to marry would not be interested in fulfilling any marital duties with him.

Noxian steel was a necessity for the Zaun forces. The blessed metal could be shaped into the perfect tool capable of keeping down the Piltovian warriors who possessed a bit too much magical power, and it had played a key role in the rebellion that had finally won Zaun its freedom. The special steel forged the best of their weapons and it lasted longer in the test of time. The possibility of an endless supply of that material was not something that they could overlook, so without a doubt, a Zaun noble would have to be married to Noxus.

Obviously, finding someone to offer in marriage to a daughter of Noxus was no small matter, and the reactions from the Barons had been one half greedily leaping at the chance and the other half wondering if they could truly meet Ambessa’s standards.

It was the perfect opportunity.

Viktor had volunteered at once, desiring the close benefits that would come with being directly connected with the suppliers of that blessed metal. Plus, if he had to attend yet another engagement ball as the Kings forced him to find a romantic partner, he would split himself in two and perform asexual reproduction.

No one had expected him to offer and they were all greatly surprised when he did. Viktor surprised himself, but he was the best bet to getting the Noxian head to agree to an arranged marriage. They knew of how much she admired his creations, and he admired their steel.

The deal was struck and the only unpredictable variable was the girl he was to marry. Viktor had no intentions of forcing her to love him and had prepared in every way to make this a marriage only in name.

That was until he’d seen Mel walk into the harbour.

Despite his own excuses, health was not the reason that Viktor avoided the sunlight. It was just not his favourite time of the day. However, watching his wife approach, leading her entourage was like watching the sun come up even while it was completely dark outside.

Mel Medarda did not so much as walk as she glided like her dainty feet barely left a footprint on the path before her. She was the personification of beauty itself, her presence majestic like she’d been born to rule. Her skin was ebony as dark as the night waters but the flecks of gold sprinkled all over her made her glow in the dark and ensured that she was the one sight they all fixated on. Her silk dress of white was spotless, her steps sure and graceful. Viktor had found himself breathless when he looked upon her dawn, and when she had reached him, he found himself tongue-tied.

“Husband?” she had asked softly. Her face had been set in resignation, her gaze determined, but she looked hesitant when she finally saw him.

He could not help the part of him that withdrew bashfully, wondering if she liked what she saw…..as much as he did.
They had only just met…..but she’d already called him Husband. There was little he could do to stop the flush on his cheeks and she blinked rapidly as he cleared his throat.

“My wife,” he spoke softly and noticed as her gaze went from resigned to curious. His hand stretched out to hers and she had taken his without hesitation.

They were married the next day.

Despite all the freedom that he had given her after that, she had clung to him.
Viktor had not expected it. A lady so fair and divine surely had her own interests in coming to Zaun and he had thought he’d need to keep a close eye on her just to ensure that Ambessa had not sent her daughter to enact any schemes. However, to his surprise, he’d found that he and his wife were more similar than he had expected them to be.

Outcasts.

She was burdened by her mother’s weighty expectations and unhidden disappointment, and he was…..different from most of the others of Zaun.

In his wife, he had found companionship. Even when she did not understand, Mel always wanted to hear about his work. He had found friendship with her too. Carnal desire was taking its time to come around and he was largely unsure what to do with her in that area. He was also unsure of her interest in those matters. That was why he’d given her the option to fulfil her desires outside of him, though she had not taken him up on that offer at all. It was not entirely odd as she was in a world unfamiliar to her.
Whatever she decided, Viktor gave her the liberty to take her time as he would never make her feel like it was her obligation to lay with him as his wife.

His wife.

Just thinking of the word sent a shiver of excitement down his spine. It made his lips tug in an awkward smile and his cheeks lit up in a soft blush.
His wife. She was his.

Viktor did not think himself possessive, but for a really long time her attention, her adoration, her time and her companionship had been his and only his.
Then HE came along.

It was like the darkening of the vibrant pink and purple evening clouds that had once brought colour and whimsy to his otherwise quiet life.

Things had changed when Mel had acquired that slave.
It was not a change that had manifested so quickly, so perhaps Viktor had not realised it until it was too late. Suddenly, so much was not the same, and Viktor thought he could accept it. He was above petty squabbles, so he did not care about the gaping hole that had materialised in his marital bed.

The Machine Herald was a beloved innovator, respected and admired by all of Zaun, so of course he was not subdued or burdened by the fact that when his wife did make an appearance, it was so she could yap endlessly about Wonder boy and his Wonder stick and his wonder mind and every wonderful thing about the Piltovian slave; and every new wonderful thing that Viktor learnt reminded him why the Piltovians were slaves in the first place.

Did Viktor mention any of this to Mel? Of course not. That would be childish. Besides, he was grouchy enough that she should have guessed his thoughts by reading his mind. By grouchy he meant scowling at the empty bed when his dear wife failed to make an appearance. Their shared bed was shaped like a coffin; Mel’s idea – she thought it was funny. These days it didn’t seem so funny with their marriage as dead as the coffin they slept in.

He knew that he had insisted that she find entertainment elsewhere, and his work unfortunately did not create enough free time for them to spend together, but frankly she was having way too much fun and it was making him feel rather pouty and upset.

Perhaps that was why he was hesitant about approaching the slave, even though he would never admit it. If Wonder boy turned out to be just that wonderful…. Then Viktor was not sure that he could act mature about it at all. The man was stealing his wife. HIS WIFE, who had previously blessed Viktor with all of her attention and affection for weeks BY CHOICE. It had been such a novelty that Viktor had not realised how much he adored her love until it was barely there anymore.
These days, she would stare at him with a twinkle in her eyes as if expecting him to somehow acknowledge her new slave. He was not having it.

“Viktor,” came her sing-song voice.

“No, Mel,” Viktor said dryly, rolling over so his back was to her. “I am not going to see Jayce or whatever you call him.”
And he meant it! Honestly, he couldn’t stand to see the boy sometimes because that one babbled just as much about HIS WIFE. Did they not have any decorum or decency? Mel was a married woman!

“Aw come on, he’s so cute though.” It didn’t help that her voice was so enchanting, even when he could not see her face. “I swear you’ll like him.”

“You swear this every night,” he rolled his eyes.
“Not every night,” she giggled and a deep internal groan sounded within his soul.
Yes, cause some nights you’re fucking him.

“You’re under no obligation to share your bed partners with me. You do know that, right?” Viktor muttered, just in case she’d forgotten. His wife just drew closer in response and he could feel her breath against his back. It made him shiver.

“I want to share this one with you,” she said softly and her words made his mind spin.
Was she saying that she wanted to sleep with him? Or did she just want him to participate in a fun orgy? Viktor frowned at the latter assumption, a little hurt that it might not be the former.

“If you’re asking for permission to host a threesome or an orgy…..” he was about to say that she could do as she pleased but found that the words died in his throat. Now that Mel was indeed doing as she pleased, he found himself reluctant to let her go. When he’d first come up with the idea of exterior entertainment, he had NOT expected her to bring said entertainment home and now he was at a loss. Two Jayce’s rough handling his wife under his roof was more than he could bear.

“Viktor you’re being ridiculous,” Mel mumbled.
I AM being ridiculous, but I don’t need you to point that out too. Viktor scowled. Sure, it had been his idea in the first place but he was allowed to feel regrets okay?

“You already spend all day with the slave, must we spend all night with him too?” It was the closest he had ever come to pouting and complaining about her newfound bed mate and his accent took on a gravelly sound as his words mixed into a barely decipherable mutter. Unfortunately, she heard him.

“You're pouting,” she noted with a smile in her words.
Oh, the humiliation.
“Don’t be preposterous. I don’t pout,” Viktor sniffed but still refused to face her. Her suspiciously knowing hum made his heart sink and he could just detect the grin she was wearing. She 100% knew that he was pouting.

“I don’t,” Viktor insisted.
“Of course,” she said gently, soothing his delicate pride. “It’s just that I barely get to spend time with you and it only seems courtesy that the slave get to know the master of the house.” She sighed as she was sure Jayce thought Viktor was a ghost story by now. “He admires your work….greatly.”

“I didn’t make you,” Viktor snorted. Alas, her husband was way too witty for his own good.
“Ha ha,” Mel rolled her eyes, her lips twitching with great amusement. Was he really sore that she was sleeping with the slave? There was no way. This was his idea after all.
“I’m serious. He loves your library,” Mel insisted and that seemed to finally steal Viktor’s attention because he rolled over at once.

“You gave the slave access to books?” his voice was incredulous. It was not an accusation….but it was not praise either.
“He is supervised,” Mel mumbled, cocking her head. As supervised as she could manage on days when she did not have meetings. She barely monitored which books Jayce took out of the library as long as the servants assured her that he had not been anywhere near the forbidden section. Now she worried. She had thought for sure that Viktor would be glad that someone was using his library, but now……

The war had been a serious event, especially as it had ended in the subjugation of an entire race and she wondered now that she was meddling in matters far more delicate than they appeared.

“You disapprove?” she asked softly.
“Curious,” Viktor said, and again she could not detect the meaning behind his tone. It was neutral like he had just not expected her to do that. Though he did not sound disappointed.

“He means no harm.” She’d be more hesitant to defend Jayce if she was not so sure of that. “He’s just…..” She sighed as she thought about her companion. She could envision him now with his head bent over a book, never rising unless called, like he had sunk deep into the world between those words and he would not be pulled away. It would be a huge loss if Jayce had those words taken away from him.

“Well, I think he might be a little lonely,” she finally said.
“Even with you keeping him company?”
There was a frown on Viktor’s face and Mel raised a brow at that response. Sometimes it felt like they were having two different conversations here.

“Do you think he needs an extra slave or two?” Viktor asked with a frown. As sulky as he was about the situation, he would not Mel’s slave suffer depression when he was clearly bringing her so much joy. It would be the most immature thing to hurt something his wife cared for, and he would be a poor husband to not intervene when she detected a problem.

However, Mel just smiled pointedly at him and Viktor realised he’d walked into a trap.
“I think he might benefit from conversation with a brilliant mind,” she cooed, batting her lashes at him. Viktor met her flirtatious gaze with an amused smile.

“There are none more brilliant than you,” he smirked and his wife was at a loss for words. She stared at him dumbfounded, golden eyes wide in surprise and her golden freckles glittered as a blush came upon her flustered face.
“Viktor I-“ She seemed to lose track of what she was going to say and averted her eyes in a shy blush. It was rare that he could make his wife so flustered and Viktor found great satisfaction in this.

He still got it.

“Oh, you,” she laughed in amusement and he rolled his eyes with a small smile.
“We’re talking about him again,” Viktor pointed out.
“Fine. Let’s talk about you,” Mel beamed, moving the conversation easily. “The barons want to know how goes your progress?”
Viktor grunted. Instantly dismayed that they were now talking about him.

“He could be instrumental to your research you know,” Mel mumbled.
“Jayce again?” Viktor sighed.
“My bad,” Mel laughed. She’d jumped right into it without thinking, it made her husband roll her eyes and she grinned. His eyes shone like gems in the night, a beautiful contrast to his pale skin.

“We should start a fine for every time you bring him up in the bedroom,” Viktor smirked.
“Very well,” Mel grinned. “Then if you would rather move on to other matters.”
“Please,” Viktor nodded. He would rather talk about anything else.
“Would you like to take a look at one of my paintings?” Mel asked, suddenly sitting up with a smile. The covers falling to expose her golden shoulders and purple silk nightgown which rippled so beautifully as she moved.

“A painting?” Viktor blinked in surprise. “You want us to go to studio right now?”
“We don’t have to do that; I brought it here.” As she spoke, she reached beside the ped and pulled up the large frame beside her. “I want you to give me your honest opinion.”

Viktor was curious enough to sit up as well.
“Sure,” Viktor said with a shrug and smiled in amusement as his wife hefted up the painting. “But didn’t we agree not to bring work to bed?” A rule they’d created after he’d had too many repeated incidents in the earlier days of their marriage.
“Oh, hush. This isn’t work,” Mel pouted and beamed as she hugged the painting. “I made it for you.”
“For me?” Viktor’s face flushed in mild surprise and a warmth blossomed in his heart at the implication. His wife had thought of him during the day and she’d made something for him. His heart beat faster as she handed him the frame and he took it happily in his hands.

“Here,” Mel smiled and Viktor’s pale hands touched the white cover, longer fingers pulling off the cloth but Mel suddenly caught his hand. Viktor raised his head in surprise to find her earnest smile.
“I want a full breakdown of every little shadow,” she said.
“Of course,” Viktor laughed in amusement. He knew how seriously his wife took her work. She put into it an amount of passion that could not be taken for granted and every brush stroke was genius brought to life.

In truth, Viktor was grateful that Mel had provided something that they could do together. Something unique and fun. He eagerly unveiled the painting before him.
And then he choked.

It was Jayce. It was Jayce all over again. But Jayce in a way that perhaps only Mel had seen him. Jayce depicted in a way that stole the very air from Viktor’s lungs and robbed him of his senses.

“Mel!”

“Do you like it?”

“WHAT IS THIS?!”

“I thought you'd like it,” Mel said, somehow having the audacity to sound disappointed. He whirled to her and her large doe eyes looked to him with a small pout on her lips. She looked like she’d tear up at the slightest rejection. It left Viktor baffled as he looked back and forth between her and the painting.

“He’s nude!” he gaped and Mel blinked, shifting closer so she could peer at the ridiculously large provocative painting.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Mel sniffed as she regarded the painting. “I covered the important parts.”
Are you sure?! Cause if you had, his breasts wouldn’t be in my face!

Viktor groaned internally, his face falling to a hand and his other hand raked through his hair.
Of course she did something like this. His hands shook as he held the portrait and he went from 0 to 100 just staring at it. Yes, within the painting he could see every stroke of Mel’s genius and creative talent. She had done a great job of highlighting his golden skin, and his sleek dark hair that looked as soft as a kitten’s fur. The adorable yearning puppy look in his eyes and the plumpness of his lips. His wife was too talented for anyone’s good, especially her husband.

“Is it not to your liking?” Mel asked with a small pout as she stared at the painting in dismay. Viktor was trying to escape said painting, but he could not make a getaway and ignore his wife’s pouty sad expression at the same time. He caved with a groan, struggling not to punch holes into her masterpiece.

“I…. Well…… I… I don’t hate it.”
Mel instantly beamed and Viktor was sure he’d evaporate under such a bright gaze. His hand raised to cover his face and he shook his head in disbelief.

“I can't believe….. How did you even get him to do this?” he groaned.
“I asked,” Mel beamed.
“Of course, and he said yes,” Viktor groaned.
Arrogant asshole with the body of a god. He couldn’t believe the cheek of that arrogant delicious-looking Piltovian that would benefit from having food thrown on him so he could eat it right off that golden skin. Viktor now wondered what he would sound like in the peaks of arousal. Good God, Mel was succeeding! Underestimating his wife was such a foolish thing to do.

“Damnit,” Viktor cursed as he visibly struggled.
“Problem?” Mel asked innocently.
“No,” Viktor said through gritted teeth, but that was wrong. There was a big problem. Very big problem. Big hard problem! Big problem poking him in the leg and making him as red as a tomato. So red that he had to put his hand to his face to hide his blush.

“So, are you open to sharing?” Mel beamed.
“No!” Viktor flopped to the bed and pulled the covers over his head. He had to shut this conversation down and fast!
“Viktor.” His wife leaned over him and began to poke him but Viktor stayed as stiff as a board to hide the other stiff parts of him. When she got no response, Mel pouted. “Viktor you said you’d review my paint-“
“Tomorrow!”

His reply had been maybe too fast, too loud, and too sharp, and he peeked out from over the blankets to be sure his wife had not taken offense. He found her smiling in amusement so he panicked and ducked back under the covers. He was fast losing this war. Foolish of him to go against a warlord and think it was an even battle.

Mel for her part just took the painting and placed it back beside the bed.
The night was a success. She would just have to try again tomorrow.

****

“Jayce, I have a special request.”

“What is it my lady?” Jayce asked, eager to serve. They were settled in the studio as usual. This time Mel was on the couch reading while Jayce sat at her feet….also reading. It was comfortable on the plush rugs on the floor that surrounded the sofa and he could lean on her lap when he got tired.

“My husband requires some assistance today.”

Jayce choked.

It was an unusual request today. He would somehow take noon bedtime duties over this.

“You-your husband?”

Since joining the household, Jayce had never seen the man. The Master of the house might as well not exist, or he looked down on slaves enough not to want to associate with them. Imagine Jayce’s shock at being sent for after two months of living here.

“Just someone to move things around the lab. No big deal,” Mel shrugged as she looked up from her book with a warm smile.

“Th-the lab?” Her words did nothing to soothe his anxious heart and a cold sweat ran down his face as he imagined himself strapped to a table screaming. Big hands began to shake so he curled them into fists. He had gotten too relaxed here, too comfortable, and had overestimated his importance in this household.
It would not be odd or unethical to use a Piltovian slave for experiments, not to a Zaunite, and Jayce could barely stop his tremble just thinking about it, unable to hide his nervous gulp from Mel.
“I don't know if that's a-“

“Nervous?” She smirked and he blushed. He WAS nervous.

“With all due respect, I have been.....” Jayce searched around for the right word and winced as he just let go. “I've been with his wife.” There was no reason for the man to like him.
“And now his wife is asking that you help her husband,” Mel smiled as she gently brushed the dust of his clothes. She detected the tension in his shoulders and her gaze softened.
A warm brown hand hooked under his chin, pulling his anxious gaze to hers and he melted under the warmth he found in her golden eyes.

“Do not fear,” Mel said, her soft voice soothing his worries. “I would not give you a task that would bring you harm. Just do whatever he asks. That is all.”
Jayce swallowed thickly as he considered these instructions, but he felt a bit better at her words.

“I go alone?” He hated how shaky the question came, but he was scared.
“Want me to come hold your hand?” Mel teased and he so desperately wanted to say ‘Yes’. However, she just chuckled and ran her fingers through his hair, a soothing petting gesture that confirmed that he would be on his own in this.

“He prefers to work solo,” Mel said and Jayce recalled who the focus of attention would be in the ‘labs’. “You're the first help he's agreed to accept. Help him, Jayce.”

“Yes, My Lady,” Jayce bowed. He was proud that his voice did not stutter at that last phrase, for he was very very afraid.

******

His job was to clean apparently. He was sent down with a rag and a broom for dusting and mopping. It was quite bizarre. Never once had he performed such a task for Mel as she had many servants, and machines, cleaning her quarters to perfection. There was never a speck of stray paint left in her studio, even after a huge enlightenment that launched her into a painting spree and left the studio looking like an art fight had happened within.

Jayce had put his own effort into keeping his room tidy, but he was not responsible for cleaning his own bathroom. So, it truly was peculiar that he’d been invited into this lab to…. Clean.

This is a trap isn’t it, Jayce thought as he descended the long and winding stairs for it turned out that the lab was of course set in the basement. Oh Joy.

They were going to lure him down into dark unseen territories and then when all the light had been cut off, her husband would launch at him and rip him to pieces for daring to sully his wife.

Jayce shook his head.
That line of thinking contradicted Mel’s promise that no harm would befall him, and his Lady rarely disappointed when it came to fulfilling her promises.

'What if her husband is the exception?' A nagging said in the back of his mind. She clearly adored the man, would she really go against his desires? This winding hallway could only be accessed by a gated entrance and only Mel held the key. She had locked the door behind him as he stepped in, which was frankly way too foreboding for Jayce’s already anxious nerves and he frantically rubbed at his Talis pendant to soothe his fears.

What if her husband decided to play a fun game of chase and Jayce lost a leg? There was nothing they could do about a lost leg, what was gone was gone and Jayce would hop around with a wooden spike to replace it. Perhaps, Mel would feel bad and reward him with a few treats but that would not bring back his leg or anything else he lost within this lab and there were more steps than he thought could fit in one building! The further down he went, the more he seemed to lose his mind!

And then he came to the end.

Jayce stopped at the end of the winding stairs that opened to a large laboratory, very dimly lit. He squinted for a moment, lighting up the lamp that his Lady had so graciously provided for his work down there. It was quiet, undisturbed and, to be honest, not very neat. In fact, it looked like very little cleaning machinery accessed the place….and it looked very….very dusty.

Jayce sneezed, a bit too horrified by the state of the place to be scared any more. It did need dusting. Now that he was here and he surveyed the area, it did not seem too large and he slipped the large plastic cleaning gloves on his hands. It was time to get to work.

First, there was the dusting and the sweeping of course. Jayce focused on the large areas that had collected a lot of dust and dirt, packing up the trash into the trash bags he had brought with him. He focused on areas without so much delicate equipment as he did not want to break anything, but he was largely in awe of the place as he cleaned.

Overhead bubbled a few pipes of bubbling liquid and fissures. In shadowy corners stood statues of knights and mechanical golems. There were nicks and knacks on the floor, and Jayce was sure to pick them up and set them in what he took to be an empty toolbox. Scientists needed to be orderly or they would get nothing done.

Absentmindedly, he sorted through a few books, lining them up neatly on a desk that he cleared. He was not supposed to move too much around, but he could not help himself. To keep the dust down, he did a spot of mopping and was quite pleased with his work. Soon the lab began to look presentable, fitting for the renowned Master of such a grand manor.

His nervousness had completely vanished by now and he was pleased to have handwork to do outside of painting. The place was not spotless but at least it was neat and he danced to music that he hummed in his head, some of his mother’s favourite rumbas and salsas that reminded him of home.

He was just dusting a table when he paused to see a few stray notes. Neatly he gathered them together, trying to sort them by perceived importance and ended up slowing as he took in their content.

Jayce did not mean to pry; it was not his hobby to go about reading other people’s work. But it had been so long since he’d been near any form of scientific creation and he was wowed by the puzzles he found on the page. The equations and calculations made his eyes widen in wonder and he found himself consumed by the text, unable to pull away.

The ideas approached biological problems in a rather mechanical way, and although Jayce did not agree with all of the text, he found so much of it fascinating. It was a topic so close to what he’d originally been studying.
The theory was about a few gems set in a small box on the table, glowing blue with magic power. It was dangerous territory, he was not supposed to be here, but he could not stop reading. Sorting through the pages, he was able to arrange them uninterrupted and he was more fascinated the more he read. So, he read more and more and more.

“Good evening.”

Jayce gasped, though it was more of a shout of fear as he leapt back in shock. He had not even heard the other man come up behind him. The man he found behind him, though smaller and thinner than he was, was ghostly pale with sunken eyes that shone gold in the dim of the lab. He looked like a ghost and Jayce panicked that he had in fact seen a ghost.

But there was nowhere to go, the man was standing right behind him and the only thing in front was the table. So Jayce hit the table, knocking one of the little gems right out of the box. It rolled off the table and took to the air in its descent to the floor, but before it could reach it, the man behind Jayce lunged.

Jayce slammed his eyes shut, trembling as the man launched at him. His hand was pressed firmly against Jayce’s chest and it held more chest than he expected as it pushed him against the table, his other hand moved with speed to catch the gem before it could hit the floor, putting them in an awkward position where the ghostly man was almost on top of him.

Jayce’s heart was beating rapidly and he whimpered to notice the man was between his legs, his hand still pressed against his chest. One leg on the floor, one leg on the table between Jayce’s legs, his knee dangerously close. Jayce gulped.

“Careful,” the ghost finally spoke and Jayce’s eyes widened at the rolling beautiful accent that came from the man’s lips.
Viktor pulled back just enough so he could meet the boy's eyes and smiled, flashing dangerous ivory fangs, and making Jayce’s eyes widen even more.
A Zaunite! Likely, the master of the house!

“It would be unfortunate,” Viktor said, hand still cradling the gem. “To blow ourselves up like this.”

Chapter Text

He was the most beautiful man that Jayce had ever seen. His skin was as pale as snow, the only colour on him being the gold of his eyes and the dark purple eye bags that blossomed underneath. Long dark hair fell to past in shoulders in brown waves, it looked velvet soft. His lips had no colour but they looked so perfect, so soft. His voice was almost a purr but it commanded attention and respect. He spoke like a man of power. He was a man of power.

“I-I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to-“

“You.” Viktor eye’s focused on him as he pulled away, an amused light dancing his eyes, gaze swooping over Jayce from head to toe. Jayce gulped as Viktor’s long-fingered hand slid down his muscular chest, before sailing up to hook one long pale finger on the collar on Jayce’s neck.
The slave froze, panic in his eyes as he took in that one long vicious fingernail that looked sharp enough to cut glass.

“You're my wife's pet,” Viktor said in observation and Jayce gulped thickly but he managed a nervous shaky nod.

“Y-yes sir.”

“What are you doing here?” Viktor asked with a slight frown.
“Sh-she sent me here to clean,” Jayce gulped and the master of the house raised a brow. Something Jayce could not discern passed in the Zaunite’s gaze and he huffed a breath.

“I see what she's doing.” He muttered that line more to himself and set the little gem back in its box. Jayce watched as he closed it and sealed it, then the master turned back to him.

“Well,” Viktor said, displeasure clear on his face.
“S-Sir?” Jayce asked nervously.
“I dropped my staff,” Viktor said and Jayce blinked.
“Oh.”

Now that he was paying attention, they both turned to the staff that had fallen to the floor. It was a long sturdy thing of metal and it had not landed too far away, just right beside the table. Jayce looked to the Master in confusion and the Master raised his brow higher.
‘Am I to defer to dog-like tasks when you’re here?’ he seemed to say.

“Right!” Jayce gasped and pushed to rise while Viktor slid off him and came to sit on the table. Jayce bolted up and grabbed the staff, handing it to the Master. His eyes slid down curiously to the man’s legs and he saw that the man wore a robe. Zaunite fashion was strange and seemed spurred by the individual, unlike the neat shirts, trousers, skirts and dresses of Piltovian fashion.
This meant that Jayce could not see the Master’s legs, and when the man stood, Jayce saw that he was taller.

Oh.

He dared say Mel was a tad taller too.
The Machine Herald was surprisingly a bit more underwhelming when compared to the power of his name. Then again, Jayce had not expected the man to look so gorgeous. He wore a robe tied neatly in the center so Jayce had the privilege to have his gaze linger on that arresting waist.

“Clean to my tastes,” Viktor said with a slight wave of his hand and Jayce was snapped back to his duties.
The master was not angry, and he was allowed to continue the work he’d started. Things were going better than he’d expected.

“I'm getting back to work,” the Master said and those words stole Jayce’s attention at once.
“Y-your work is incredible,” Jayce gasped, his heart fluttering with awe as he recalled all he’d seen.

“Is it now?” The Master sounded amused.
“Y-yes,” Jayce flushed as he stepped forward, grabbing his duster and following Viktor. “Magical engineering…. It’s always been a theory but very few have ever come close to achieving it. Mixing magic and science, some say it’s a taboo and that magic should stay separate and refined as a sacred art.”

“Some or Piltovians?” Viktor asked with a raised brow and Jayce wilted under that stare, his breath caught as he recalled that he spoke to the other side of the war.
“F-forgive me,” he said, head bowed and shoulders sagging.
“For what?” That voice stole Jayce’s breath away, it was like music. A music like Mel’s but different. Christ, this was her husband!

“H-how are you going to bridge the gap, solve the final equation, fit all the pieces together?” Jayce asked breathlessly, his heart once again stolen by the genius of those pages. The man was brilliant. He already knew that but he’d heavily underestimated just how brilliant the Machine Herald could be. The Master Weapons Manufacturer behind the Fall of Piltover

“I'll figure out a way,” Viktor mumbled as he turned back to his work, shooing Jayce away with a wave of his hand, much to the young lad’s dismay. “You on the other hand should get going now before you break anything else.”

“Of... Of course,” Jayce said but he lingered, staring with awe at the magic spread out before Viktor. The master of the house could basically feel his eagerness breathing down his neck and he groaned, whirling to face the eager slave.

“I mean now,” he scowled.

“Oh.” Like a kicked puppy, the boy grabbed the tools that he had come with, head hung as he sulked his way back up the many flights of stairs.

*****

Damnit, why do I feel like a bully now?! Viktor thought in horror and he groaned as the boy left, falling to his seat as he watched Jayce climb up the stairs.

He’d been sleeping. Sleeping! When the boy came up.
Sure, he often joined Mel in bed but between the early hours of the morning, he would work himself into a frenzy until he just retired into the coffin in the lab. It was almost a wonder the boy had not freaked out over the big black box in the corner. The sound of Jayce’s dusting had woken him. Viktor was sure he had dreamt it. There was no way there’d be someone in his lab, humming a tune while dusting his coffin.
Unfortunately, he’d been wrong.

Viktor shook his head, dragging his hands through his hair as he thought of the boy. He was different, in conversation. The first he’d seen of the slave was him sobbing himself to sleep the first night at their manor. He had thought for sure that Jayce would not last long in their company. His wife was a bleeding heart, she would not cage the boy if he was truly unhappy.

Unfortunately for Viktor, the slave ended up adapting surprisingly fast.

Viktor’s gaze turned back to the table before him, his work spread out as he recalled the boy’s excited rambling.
Mel said he was smart. Smart didn’t cover it. A slave with an interest in magical engineering? That was a dangerous slave. The Kings would have him sent to the mines at once, no matter how fond his wife was of him. A slave with the genius and interest in understanding the magical arts was something that Viktor should not encourage, especially not one from a noble lineage.

Even if it broke Mel’s heart, he should report it. Have her adapt sooner than later to not having him around. The Piltover oppression had lasted decades, they were barely celebrating their first decade of freedom. It would be wise to nip things in the bud before things became difficult.

And yet…… Viktor remembered the eager joy in the boy’s eyes. The joy in Mel’s eyes when she spoke of him. There was a reason the slave had been kept hidden in the forest.
That boy wouldn’t last a day in the mines. If the darkness didn’t end his sanity, then the whippings from the taskmaster surely would.

Viktor shook his head at the irony of it all. They had fought so hard to end the oppression of Piltover. Did this then justify the oppression they carried out now?

He was never good at politics, that was why he left it to his wife. He was a man of science. He made things to make life easier. Viktor had participated in the war but that was as far as he let his involvement go. He would supply weapons to protect Zaun, he would provide tools to fight against the kidnapping and trafficking of their people. But he drew the line at letting any of his creations be utilised for slavery. Even if he understood the anger of his people, he disapproved of mirroring their oppressors. People would always fall to the weakness of emotions. The drive for vengeance, it got in the way of true progress and growth. The kind that could only be found in the steady gears of a machine.

Viktor sighed heavily and pushed the thought away. He would pretend the earlier conversation did not happen, that he knew nothing of Jayce’s talents. It was fortunate that the boy had not touched anything. After this, he would have a few serious words with Mel.

*****

“You met my husband?” Mel was elated, the bright blinding overjoyed smile on her face told him that much. It really lit up her features as she shifted closer, her long dress of white and gold trailing against the floor. It was like a Greek dress and it did give her the appearance of a Greek goddess, going well with the golden sash she wore around her arms.

“Oh. Yes,” Jayce smiled as he recalled meeting her husband.

When he’d thought of the Master of the house, Jayce had imagined someone tall and imposing. A larger-than-life figure with a sharp jaw, perhaps a mouth full of fangs and a heavy dark presence. That had not been the man he’d faced.

Calm, almost demure with a hint of mischief in his eyes, like a predator toying with its prey. That dark presence had lingered but the lasting impression had been the man’s genius. Intelligence. Their conversation had been short but throughout it the man had exuded intelligence. It had oozed from his pores like he was a master of it, and he was.

The gems on the table, the equations scratched out on paper and a few lingering scratches that had spread to the table itself. Jayce recognised that desperation. The feeling like he was at the edge of a breakthrough but something kept stopping him from leaping to the final victory. A weight holding him down, a boulder he could not get past. he couldn’t stop thinking of it, and Jayce’s hands could not stop moving.

Mel clearly wanted to hear the gist of all that had happened and her beautiful dark lips rounded in a pout as she waited for him to turn his attention to her, but he was so focused on the notebook before him. the notebook, not the sketchpad. It was his little diary full of scientific works that caught his interest. It had been a while since she’d seen him scribble in that.

“What is stealing your attention?” Mel pouted and Jayce’s head jerked up in realisation that he’d been ignoring his Master. He blushed furiously, notebook held close to his chest. However, shyly and eagerly, he showed her what he’d been working on.

“I've been thinking,” he said, his words little more than a whisper. However, after getting the words out, he spoke boldly. “Actually, I've been unable to get his work out of my head.” Jayce admitted this with a small excited laugh.
Since his dismissal that morning, he’d sadly returned the tools and cleaned them up after use. However, he could not bring himself to mope even longer because his mind was immediately filled with the words and numbers he had seen that morning.

They haunted him through breakfast and even when he strolled to the library to select a new book. He could not so casually read a novel with those equations drumming in his head, demanding an answer to their uneven rhythm. Without thinking about it, Jayce had started writing.

It had started small, just a small equation to get the problem out of his head. Then his hand could not stop moving. It moved endlessly as he worked. He created maths, science and magic without even thinking. He pulled together the missing links between physics and chemistry. More books rained down the shelves and Jayce consumed them like a man starved. He almost missed lunch and he didn’t care, eating little and rushing back to his work. Even now he was in the studio, searching for the missing link to complete the Master’s work.

“I was just thinking,” Jayce said excitedly as he shared his theories with Mel. “It’s not that the idea is wrong but the runes. They are carved in the right shape but they’re not being activated in the right order.”

Mel blinked in surprise.
“Are we talking about magic?”

It was forbidden. Jayce knew this well and he wilted a little at her bewildered gaze but surely she could let this slide. This was not for him. This was for her husband. Jayce shifted closer on the sofa, golden eyes pleading for her to hear him out.

“Your husband’s work, he seems to have hit a snag in the corner. It’s not the runes, it’s the order. Magic works in a different way from science. Yes, it is alive and it can understand, but just like science it- it needs order! It’s like going to a bakery and asking for a shoe. You’ll get a shoe of course but it will come in the form of dough and sugar. He’s using the right words but he’s making the wrong request. If he just-“ Jayce caught the widening of her eyes, the surprise in their depths as he looked between him and his work and he wilted even further.

Had he said something wrong? Was he being too presumptuous? She had sent him down there to clean, not to critique her husband’s work. He knew already how highly she thought of her partner and Jayce sighed as he lowered the notebook, a nervous flush on his ears and the back of his neck.
Did he look insane? Did he sound like a bumbling idiot? He had no idea. Mel was not very easy to read when she got like this and it made him squirm.

“I- It's just a theory of course,” Jayce said softly as he shut the book and held her hand, trying to ease away his mistake. “Something that might not really work but I am so sure it will Mel. I mean….” He rubbed the back of his head. “It was just so- I-“ He sighed and his shoulders drooped. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?” Mel asked with slight amusement in her tone and Jayce blinked. Funny, her husband asked the same question.

“I- um-“ Jayce was at a loss of words as he nervously glanced at Mel who smiled at him.

“I think your work is impressive,” she said with a soft smile. She opened the book again to look within, raising her brow as she saw notes and notes and notes of scribbles, some too tiny to decipher and others rather….. interesting. “Mind if I borrow it?” she asked and Jayce blinked. The idea that she might use his idea sent happy fireworks through his system and he beamed.

“No!” he beamed. “I mean yes, I mean-“ Ah he was stumbling over his words. “Use them, you can go ahead, it’s yours my lady.” Jayce was elated. His legs crossed and he rocked back and forth with joy on the sofa and Mel laughed at his excitement.

This was perfect.

****

“How did you like my pet?” Mel hummed that night, sharing a bed with Viktor and she’d sent Jayce away to his own room that night.
Her husband was early tonight, perfect. Which also meant no success in the lab once again.

“Can't say I appreciate your meddling,” Viktor scolded with a raised brow.

“You said you’d see him,” Mel pointed out. Viktor didn’t need a reminder of how scammed he’d been by that painting and his face flushed.

“I said I’d do it on my own time!” he scowled. “I didn’t expect you to just send him to the lab the next morning.”

“Come now,” Mel pouted but amusement danced in her eyes. “Did you scare him off?”
“The lad did a pretty good job of accomplishing that by himself,” Viktor rolled his eyes with a sigh. He had to discuss something very important with Mel, specifically about that slave of hers.

“He was intrigued about your work,” Mel beamed.
“About that,” Viktor smiled with dark triumph. Precisely the conversation that he’d been meaning to have. “I'm not sure we should be letting a rival race come in contact with the work I’m developing, no matter how subservient.”
“I understand,” Mel said without missing a beat.
“You do?” Viktor gaped, deflated and speechless. He had expected an argument; he had expected word puzzles and debates. He’d spent all evening prepping for this conversation. He had not expected Mel to immediately accept defeat and that was extra suspicious.

“I just thought it would help you get done faster,” Mel smiled and Viktor frowned.
“I don’t need Piltovian slaves helping me with my work,” Viktor said with a scowl. Perhaps the response came out haughtier than he’d intended, but he’d been at the other side of that collar once and it had ached. The Piltovians were arrogant, they never acknowledged his contributions, he licked their boots to even be considered to work on an important project. Even after he poured his heart and soul into it, they held their celebrations and left him in the shadows. Subservient, forgotten, alone.

Viktor sighed.

He didn’t expect his wife to understand…..or perhaps he did. They’d both lived in the shadows for too much of their life and the last thing he wanted was some know-it-all supremacist showing him how to do his own work.

“Why don’t you humour me,” Mel smiled as she handed him a file of papers and he rolled his eyes as he snatched them.
She’d had Jayce copy down all of his theories into sheets of paper so that he could keep his little journal. He had used much neater handwriting, unconsciously signing every page as was his habit. He’d even written little side notes for easier understanding. It made Mel giggle when she saw the fury in Viktor’s face. Her silly slave was a lecturer at heart.

“Humour me,” she reminded him and Viktor rolled his eyes.
“Perhaps I will,” he muttered as he flopped in bed beside her. “Just keep that one out of the lab.”

“Understood,” Mel beamed. She accepted too easily. It made him suspicious. Then again, her drive had been to get Jayce into their bedroom. Damnit, Viktor could never tell what she was plotting. The curse of an intelligent wife.

It would be useless to fight against it, so Viktor did not let the unknown bother him so much. He knew Mel had his best interests at heart, even if she decided what his best interests would be. At any rate, he would leave her to it. He glanced at the papers at his bedside table and sighed. When he got up the next morning, he would ‘humour her’.

So, he did.

As was their ritual, Mel was fast asleep when Viktor rose from their shared bed and slipped out into the night, the sheaf of papers clutched in his long clawed hand. He made his way to the lab as he often did these days, trying again to have a crack at a puzzle that was taking too long to solve. It was an absolute nightmare.

Honestly, he hated it when work dragged on like this. No breakthrough, no forwards, and sometimes too many backwards. He was skipping meals and he only managed to catch sleep when he passed out in the coffin in the dungeons. At least Mel had stopped nagging him about that and had started nagging instead about that pesky little slave she now had. It irritated him that his thoughts drifted to the slave and that painting she’d done of him.

The man looked a little different from the painting. Viktor had expected a bit more of a glow to come from the boy, perhaps it had been too dark in the dim of the lab. He was only taking the sheets with him now because he’d promised his wife….and he was desperate. It was maddening to be this desperate, but the truth remained and Viktor sighed as he descended the many steps that led to his lab. The long walk was great exercise, and it stopped Mel from badgering him that he needed to get out more, and it gave him time to think, and come up with solutions. As usual, there was none and by then he’d reached the lab.

With a sigh, Viktor stepped into the lab, set up as usual and finally took a glance at the work Mel’s perfect golden boy had scribbled down.

******

Viktor rose from bed at midnight. Like clockwork, he always got up at that time.

Sometimes, when he felt a little more husbandy or if she had trouble sleeping, he would stay with her till one in the morning, but that was the latest her husband would sacrifice. The quiet of the early hours of the morning was the perfect time for utilising the brain at maximum capacity after its due rest, that’s what he always said. Mel was never sure what rest he actually got since they often went to bed in the late hours of ten or eleven.

He would spend the night within the lab, not deigning to come up for the rest of the morning and missing the entire afternoon, only returning when the sun set once again when it was time for her to go to bed. Then he would drag himself out of the lab, keeping the daily appointment to see his wife at least once every night.

If the night parties lingered or her art seized her, they would go nights without meeting at all. The dark was the only time she could spend any time with her husband.
So, at twelve that night, midnight, Viktor had risen from the bed and Mel hugged the pillows close to her chest, deeply asleep.

At three in the morning, Viktor returned. It was very out of character.

“Mel!” he whispered, his voice on the edge of screaming with excitement.

“Viktor?” Mel bolted upright. Sleep still blurred her eyes but she was awake. For her husband to reach out so early. It had not been long since they’d gone to bed. Was there an emergency?

“Viktor are you alright?” She blinked sleepily, her hand moving to cup his face. She worried about her husband a lot. He had so many unhealthy habits, like not sleeping or eating when he was deep-diving into work. She had stopped checking to be sure that he took at least one bag of drink a day, it was neglectful of her, and she reached out now to check his temperature, ensure that he was not feverish.
Before she could touch him, he seized her and pulled her into a kiss.

Now THAT woke her up.

Mel’s eyes snapped open, her eyes wide as her husband kissed her. He smashed his lips into hers. Soft small lips and a tongue that dove in deep. He smelled of magic and vanilla. Mel sunk into the kiss immediately. Viktor’s little fangs nipped her plump bottom lip but still Mel leaned, making her own marks on his lips, and she sighed when he held her. Those strong slender arms of his wrapped around her shoulders and pulled her close. She wished he’d run his hands through her hair, she ran her own hands through his, delighting to find that his long hair was indeed soft to touch. He barely cared for it but it was soft as silk.
Viktor pulled away and Mel blinked, both their lips flushed and pink and she stared at him in awe, her hands falling to her lap.

That was their second kiss as husband and wife, their first real kiss. The first kiss had been a social obligation at their wedding. He’d never kissed her again since then.
Both their hearts beat wildly in that quiet room and they stared at each other. Viktor’s lips were wide in an expression of joy, but a small blush dusted his cheeks. He had not expected her to kiss back with such ferocity.

It was the first time they’d touched each other like that and neither of them broke eye contact. An expression of interest had been made known and it made both their hearts beat faster.

They grinned at each other, a dusky blush remained on Viktor’s face, shy at being kissed so passionately by his wife, but that did nothing to dim the excitement bubbling in his eyes. They sparkled like gems in the mouth, his grin almost ear-splitting, inhuman. Mel’s eyes widened in surprise. Viktor was in one of those moods.

“What’s going on?” Mel asked curiously.
“Let me see him. The boy.” Viktor spoke quickly, like his words were falling on top of each other and he could barely contain his joy. His long nails clicked together as his hands reached up, then down, then grabbed at the sheets, then dragged through his hair in delight.

The boy.

“Jayce,” Mel said in surprise.
“You were right Mel, you were right all along. He is the missing link. These papers.” He snatched at the air then looked lost, then recalled he left the papers in the lab and turned to Mel with a grin. “The boy is a genius.”

“You’re the genius,” Mel purred with pride and Viktor grinned. His hand pressed against the bed as he leaned closer to his wife, nuzzling her.

“Well yes,” Viktor grinned. “But the boy.” He was insistent. It made Mel crow with glee. He really wanted to see Jayce. A spark in the flame she’d been working effortlessly to stoke.

“He’s asleep, Viktor,” she reminded him, a gentle hand against his arm. He was basically vibrating with excitement. “It’s the middle of the night, you have to wait till morning.”

“Morning?” Viktor’s smile dipped into a confused scowl. He looked offended. “It is morning.”
She raised a brow and he groaned. The sky was still dark outside. It was really early, even earlier than she usually rose on an early morning.

“Alright fine, fine,” Viktor cursed and groaned, pulling away with a sigh. Mel purred as she watched him, glowing where she sat on the bed.

“You look elated my love,” Mel beamed and Viktor turned to face her, his face was alight with joy.

“Mmm,” he hummed, his own magical music vibrating through his body. “I am happy.” He smiled at her, and it was a smile so soft so joyous that she melted just looking at him. His eyes were lit like stars and they were drawn to the golden glow of hers. So ironic that they all had eyes of gold. He leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on her lips once again.

“We will have to explore this,” she said, staking her claim, making it known that she was interested, wide doe eyes looking hopefully to him and her heart jumped for joy at his answer.

“Yes,” Viktor smiled. “Let’s.” Mel’s face lit with joy. “But not tonight,” Viktor added, putting a break in her gears. It seemed his wariness was catching up with him now that he’d remembered what time it was and his hand caressed her face, his palm so much larger than her face.

Oooooh, he was really was in THAT kind of mood. Mel shivered as she wondered what sex would be like when Viktor was in that mood. She would not find out today though, he was already pulling away.

“Get some rest darling,” Viktor said softly.

“Very well darling,” Mel greeted as well, her wish a caress. “I’ll see you in the morning.” A promise. She stared after him until the door shut behind him, and then waited a little longer. Once she was sure her husband was gone, Mel collapsed on the bed, squealing in delight with her pillow pulled close to her chest as she kicked her legs in glee.

Her husband kissed her, he acknowledged that she was right, he wanted to see Jayce, he wanted to have sex with her!
There had been so many wins that night and her heart fluttered with the joy of it. Tomorrow, they would all go and see Jayce. The two would get a proper introduction and things would really kick off tomorrow.

For now, Mel would rest and so would Viktor. Tomorrow he would meet Jayce, for now, Viktor would return to the lab.

*****

Viktor did no such thing.

The Machine Herald stalked the halls of his manor, long cloak swishing in the darkness as he’d switched to something a bit more comfortable. Pyjamas of silk black and a long cloak that was mockingly similar to a vampire’s. Mel had called him Count Vikula once; his wife was so amusing.
He was still a little bashful about waking his wife but he had no intention of returning to bed. He had to see Jayce. He would just find him himself!

It had been a while since Viktor had wandered the halls of his house. The long walk back and forth to his lab had meant he had little reason to traverse other parts of the house which unfortunately meant that he was now largely unfamiliar with the halls of his own manor. Well, sure he’d designed it, but he didn’t remember erecting so many gargoyles.

Viktor scowled as he saw them at almost every corner of the house. Oh-
He paused when he noticed a golden golem in the halls.
So that’s where that got to. He really needed to keep track of those things. He should have also asked Mel where the slave quarters were. However, if he did, she would know that he was not sleeping as he said he would, besides, he’d already bothered her once that night.

Mel. He’d kissed her.
Viktor’s fingers strayed, each bony finger pressing against his lips as he could feel the ghost of her, the trace of her. she’d tasted of strawberries and grape fruit. Viktor gulped.
He had not expected to- He’d been so excited. And then… she’d revealed that she wanted to.

Christ. His wife wanted to kiss him. a man should not be so happy at finding out about that so late. She wanted to sleep with him. she wanted to- damnit! Just how much did she want to do?!

Viktor felt his heart fluttering even more madly by the second and he growled, stalking the halls faster in his search for that damn Piltovian scientist. He was feeling multiple emotions at once. He was so tired and so damn hungry that he could eat a feast but he didn’t care. He could not eat his wife right now so his thirst for knowledge grew. He had to find that boy no matter what!

It was rather bothersome and a little humiliating to be lost in his own home. He would need Mel to draw a map of this place, and then he’d need to study the map- Ah…. He could just find his blueprints. The excitement and adrenaline were making him stupid and Viktor grunted in annoyance. He needed to find higher ground.

*****

Meanwhile, Jayce, through some unfortunate turn of events, had also woken in the middle of the night.

His eyes flew open and his heart pounded restlessly as he thought again of the magic he’d discovered the other day. Of the science, the art, the formula he was trying to put together. He could barely go to sleep earlier in the day, and now he could barely stay asleep.

He groaned, knowing by the darkness of the sky at his window that he had woken early, much too early. Usually, he could not leave the room until the servants came to fetch him. There was no restriction on what he did within the room and he could put on a small orb lamp and see what other equations he could solve until sleep either returned or the rest of the house woke up.

But first things first, there was an itch at the back of his throat. He was thirsty.

Jayce groaned, flinging off the blankets as he stumbled bleary eyed to the bathroom. The bedroom floor was cold so early in the morning and he crouched underneath the tap to wash his face. He tried sipping some water and then he yawned. Clarity was coming back. Jayce stood, ready to get back to work. A tap turned on the lamp, the battery needed some replacement, he would have to tell Mel about that. Then he reached for his book…..

The sleep wiped clean from Jayce’s eyes as he searched for his journal. His book. Ah darn. He’d left it in the library that day.

Jayce groaned and slumped with his head hitting the bed. He must have left it while copying those notes. He’d worked very hard at them and wanted to get them done at record speed before Mel changed her mind. He’d grabbed the papers to hand to Mel but forgot to grab his journal before returning to his room. What a mess. Now he had to wait till the sun rose before he could-

Then an idea came to Jayce.

Could he just…get it?

He was unsure.

The library did not have a specific opening time but he’d seen the gates at the front door. Would it be locked? Then again, Mel said he could come and go whenever he pleased. Did a time like this count?

There was only one way to find out.

Jayce very carefully opened his bedroom door and peeked out.

“Hello?” he said softly and nothing responded. That was a relief.

The first month here, they locked his door like clockwork to keep him in and keep any unwelcome guests out. After the second month, they’d stopped locking his doors. For a few weeks, there had been mechanical guards at the door, though they mostly just ran errands for Jayce sometimes. Now, his Master trusted him enough to not even secure her slave inside the room. Jayce was elated.
Mel trusted him.

He would dart to the library and dart right back. No one would even know he was gone. He would not betray her trust.

The hallways were dark and foreboding like an inky black presence had stained the walls and the entire surrounding area. It was so dark that only the orb lamp he held lit the way. He’d never walked the halls when it was this dark and this abandoned before. Not even the servants stirred. He’d have to ask Mel about that too. About why no one wandered the halls when it got dark.

The architecture remained as amazing as ever but it’s hard to see in the dark and all the lights are out.
Glow lights. He should speak to Mel about some glow lights. Utility aside, it would create a nice ambience and further highlight the beauty of her husband’s works. After having met the man, Jayce could see now why Mel rambled about him so much. The Machine Herald was beautiful. Jayce flushed at the thought, a hand dragging down his face. His new master was beautiful…..and he was sleeping with his wife.

Jayce groaned and shook his head. There was no need to focus on that right now. The architecture was very pretty. Anyway, he just needed to get to the library, grab his book, sneak back to his bedroom, and deal with the weird dynamics of a Zaun family home much much later.
That was…the plan.

It was dark outside his room but Jayce was not afraid of the dark. Not until he heard a very strange noise that sounded almost like scratching in the hallway.

Jayce paused.

It could be a mechanical cleaning bot? or maybe a night watch stumbling around in the hallways. But as Jayce frowned, he though that he’d never heard one of the mechanical night watch golems sound like that before. He inched further in the dark, brows narrowed as he focused on the sound. This sound was different, like the scratching on a wall.

Jayce stumbled and hit a standing vase, panicking and grabbing it before it fell over. There was silence at the moment that Jayce stood frozen, the tall vase in hand. For a moment, it felt like he just imagined the noise.

With a breath of relief, he straightened the vase and kept walking, his pace hurrying just a little. The library was on some of the higher floors, so he was going up. He was almost to the stairs. He didn’t need to worry-

And then he froze as the sound came back. It was like the dragging of something across the floor. Something heavy.

“Hello?”

Jayce belatedly realised it was foolish to call out when he didn’t know what was moving in the dark, and his hand slammed over his mouth. He was growing anxious. He had never had anything to fear inside this manor, despite his earlier worries. Mel, as imposing as she was, was kinder than he’d expected and all the servants were nice to him. Sure, he didn’t usually wander at night, but there had never been any rule against that.

Jayce gulped and walked a bit more slowly. The noise persisted, coming and going and he paused once again. Maybe it was a bad idea to do this, maybe he should….go back. Yes. Back to his room, he’d get the journal tomorrow and-
Jayce hesitated as he turned, his hand curling around the lamp.

So what? He’d go back to his room and just sit there? Until morning? Fearing every creak and howl in the night. That sounded unbearable. He needed something to distract him.

“Darn it,” Jayce muttered and swivelled around, marching forward as he realised he was heading towards the noise but he didn’t care. Every bump in the night had a reasonable and often scientific explanation, his father had always said so. Perhaps it was a mouse or the scratching of a piece of machine that had gotten stuck in one place. At any rate, he would not know what if he stood still, so he marched forward. Perhaps he could just fix the problem now an save the servants the trouble when morning came.

So, Jayce proceeded towards the stairs. He drew closer and turned a corner with triumph, knowing the stairs were just around the bend…. And then he froze.
For around that corner, staring out of the darkness, were two glowing golden eyes.

Jayce froze. He swallowed thickly, hands shaking as he stared at those eyes that seemed raised far above eye level. The stairs had tall ceilings and they wound around and around, much like the stairs leading to the lab. There was something….on the stairs.

It could be a golem, Jayce reminded himself. Something stuck there, something that had forgotten how to move. He should fix it.

So, his hand rose, lifting the light he held. It was already dim, barely working but as he raised it closer he could just see the figure that stood before him.

The golem was scarily realistic. Looks at those deep powerful black claws that dug into the ground. They almost seemed to form the feet of some sort of monstrous beast. Higher the light rose and wow, there was so much white fur. So much so that Jayce started to feel his throat dry. Higher the light went, revealing a stretchy membrane from the creature’s shoulder to the ankle, supported by elongated fingers.

More white fur and then wings made of a stretchy membrane that stretched from the shoulder to the ankle, and were supported by elongated fingers. Oh. The Golem was shaped like a bat…how unique. It looked so realistic too, such long white fur, Jayce wondered how the master had managed to obtain so much of it. The golem was built so well that its chest rose and fell and it shifted in the light, flinching away with its arm raising to cover its face…. Its stark white leathery face where those golden eyes shone. A furry head tipped with long black horns that curled quite differently from anything he’d ever seen in a bat. Nostrils flared with irritation and it growled showing rows and rows of sharp teeth.

Oh.

Jayce felt his legs started to tremble as he took in the size of the bat. It stood at damn near ten feet tall. This was no golem. This creature. This thing…..standing and blocking the only route to the library. It was real. It was the stuff of nightmares.

For a moment there was silence as a pit opened in Jayce’s stomach. His heart had started beating rapidly and Jayce didn’t know just when breathing had become so difficult. The hand that held the little lamp shook, illuminating the beast before him. It was gigantic. It loomed taller than any human could stand. The last time Jayce had seen a creature like this was during the war.

His mouth dried up. Maybe he wanted to scream but he couldn’t, and for a moment there was silence…… Then the beast took one step closer and the illusion shattered.

Jayce ran screaming.

He didn’t know when his voice had burst free from its cage, but now that it was out, he couldn’t stop.
“H-Help! Someone help me! Someone!”

The beast roared in rage and bolted after him. it was right behind him! Jayce whimpered as he ran but powerful legs propelled him forward. He had never been one for athletics in school but God bless his dad and the all-nighters he had pulled in the forge because Jayce was very good at running. If only he had not been running in the wrong direction the day the war started.

He skidded down the halls at record speed and he was no slouch, he was moving fast! Fast enough that his lungs burned and his legs ached but that thing was moving faster!

The moment he had taken off, it had fallen to its hands and was now crawling after him on all fours. As if it was not creepy enough! Long arms attached to leathery wings dug into the floor and pulled that giant body after it. Its back legs pushed it forward like a hunting dog bolting after prey. In leaps and bounds, the monster came after him and Jayce's panic hit new levels of high. It was a testament to his strength that he was somehow staying out of reach of those long dangerous claws. Claws that ripped clean lines in the carpet and made Jayce’s body go cold. Screaming, he ran faster. He screamed for mercy, screamed at the horror of dying like this. Screamed for Mel. Not even Rio had been this terrifying and she was a whole fucking dragon. He had NEVER seen a Zaunite that looked like this!

“Help me! Help me please!” Jayce sobbed as he ran, Talis pendant swinging around him as he ran. He was going to die. No one would make it in time, he was sure he was going to die. The halls were moving by so quickly and still he could hear it breathing down his neck. His room! If he could just get to his room.

Jayce was panicked but not uncoordinated. He had dropped the lamp but he still knew the way to his room. He could just make out the door. He would run in there and…. And then what? He would not think about that now. If he could just make it to the door. He reached out with a hand to grab the knob and slowed but before his hand could even graze it, something slammed into him.

Jayce found himself knocked off his feet, knocked so hard and fast that the beath sailed from his lungs and he landed hard against the wall, a giant hand slamming over him. It was like getting hit by a flying metal boulder and the hit had him seeing stars. The large hand covered him from his mouth to his legs and he panicked, kicking weakly against the hand that held him pressed against the wall at the other end of the hallway. The door to his room was now far away once again.

Golden eyes widened in horror and dismay when he realised that the creature had elongated its hand. It hadn’t caught up to him, its hand had!

Jayce began to cry. There was little he could do in this situation and crying was better than pissing his pants. His whole body was pinned, he could just barely move his legs but his hands were trapped behind the heavy hand and he was dizzy from getting knocked so hard against the wall. Through bleary tear-streaked vision, he could just make out the figure hobbling towards him. The monster drew closer and closer. This was surely the end.

Somehow the monster drew closer, like it was dragging its body to him. Then Jayce realised that the monster was also shrinking. It was the most peculiar thing. The closer it came, the smaller it became until the giant leathery hand that pressed him to the wall became a small human-sized hand that only covered his mouth but kept him pinned. Even when he tried to straighten the strength of that small thin hand shoved him back against the wall and Jayce swallowed in fear.

The hand was now attached to a person. A person Jayce instantly recognised and his eyes widened. The Master of the house?

****

“Sssssssssssshhhhhh!” Viktor hissed with rage at Jayce and the slave boy whimpered, making a weak attempt to slide away from him but failing to go anywhere. The boy was terrified. Viktor was almost sure that if he took his hand away, the fool would start blubbering nonsense, he doubted the boy currently had the coherence to form any proper sentences like this.

Viktor had not intended to scare the boy. He’d just been looking for him. He’d just needed higher ground. He had not expected the boy to just walk out in front of him. Was this how Mel trained her slaves? She just let them walk through the house in the dark of the night? That was ridiculous. She gave the boy way too many liberties, and he repaid her by trying to scream the fucking house down. Was he trying to wake his wife?!

Viktor glared at the boy with seething anger, panting with exhaustion. He exercised daily but he’d never engaged in something like this. Curse it all. He already felt guilty for waking Mel, so it would be humiliating if she had been woken again just to find him skulking through the halls after she had told him not to. Of course, he’d had to chase after the boy to silence him and it was so hard to run in narrow halls, he really needed to fix that design choice, so, of course, he’d been forced to crawl so as not to put pressure on his bag leg and now he was in so much fucking pain and he was exhausted and hungry and the boy’s heart was beating so damn loud!

Viktor growled and the slave whimpered. Of course he did! Viktor was still feeling light-headed and he knew part of his beast form remained on display. The horns still curved from his head and his sclera had gone dark. He could barely catch enough breath to form words, he was just panting like a fucking dog in front of the boy. He was so damn hungry and he hadn't had a good meal in weeks, and something smelt so good.

Viktor’s nostrils flared as he chased the scent, his nose burying in the man’s neck and both their eyes widened at the same time.

It was the slave! The shivering man before him! His heart thumping so fast that it was basically a dinner bell to the hot blood pumping in his veins. Viktor shook his head to clear his mind but that did nothing. Mel always warned him about his bad habit of skipping meals but it wasn’t like there was anyone in the Manor that he could kill by accident, and he always restrained himself when it came to his wife. Who the fuck would have thought that Mel would at some point bring in a slave that smelt so damn good?

Viktor tried to form words but failed in that too and his hands tightened in frustration around the man’s collared neck. The slave scrambled to tear his hand away, panic bright in his eyes but he failed to so much as budge Viktor’s demanding hands. A glint of gold at the boy’s neck. Right, he was from a noble family. Which one again? Viktor couldn’t recall. The thirst burned!

His nose brushed against Jayce’s neck, inhaling deeply as his tongue teased out for a taste. The boy scented of incense and flowers, Mel’s perfume brand. Damnit! This was driving him insane. Did she bathe the boy in honey and milk? Fucking excellent.

*

“What about feeding directly off someone?” Mel had asked once and Viktor shook his head with amused dismissal.
“I haven’t done that in years. I always go too far,” he chuckled.

“What if there was someone strong enough to feed you,” Mel beamed and at the moment, he’d wondered if she was offering. Viktor had raised a brow at her, blood bag between his fangs and he smirked in amusement.

“No thank you,” he said. “It’s easier this way. I can control myself.”

*

Heavens, Viktor was starving and that damn collar was in the way!

Jayce’s eyes widened in horror when the hand around his neck slipped only to rip the collar right off his neck. Then those already long Zaunite fangs elongated into a monstrosity that made him hyperventilate. He didn’t know that Zaunites could do that. He had never seen them do that before. There was no way the Master was thinking of sinking those things into-
The bite came and Jayce screamed. His cry broke off into a whimper. The hand that had held him down swept up to cover his lips when the bite came and it muffled the scream of pain.

Agony. Jayce’s eyes rolled in the back of his head and he whimpered as Viktor drank down, slurping in ecstatic delight as rivers of hot blood pumped straight from the source. Viktor had only planned to take a little to sate his thirst but why did the boy taste like liquid gold?!

The boy was delicious. He tasted of milk and honey and tangerine. Exquisite. Viktor found himself pulling Jayce closer as the slave began to go limp in his arms. He sucked greedily, slurping up the most delicious meal he had ever tasted in his life. Why had he tarried so much? It did not make sense. The man’s blood was divine, surely he’d been handpicked by the angels for Viktor to consume. His tongue tasted that golden skin and he fed like a man starved. He was indeed a man starved and he had never eaten of anything this good before.

He had started feeding on a man just an inch shorter than him, pressed against the wall and shivering in fear. Now, Viktor sat on the floor, slurping at the blood from a man collapsed in his lap, weak whimpering coming from him as his hands slipped down the man’s muscular body. He could remember it from the painting, every curve of his muscles. The thickness of his pectorals, the strength of his biceps. Viktor squeezed at said pectorals now, delighting in the weak squeal from Jayce.

Jayce.

Yes, that was his name he was Mel’s favoured pet and-

Mel.

Viktor gasped, tearing away from the boy in horror to find that Jayce had started slipping away. Halfway through the feeding, the pain had stopped feeling so bad and Jayce had felt his mind slipping away. He let it, succumbing to the one who devoured and Viktor sat with long fingers to his lips like he’d eaten way more cookies than he’d intended to steal from a special jar.

“Jayce?” Viktor whispered in panic and the man groaned weakly.
He was living! A relief.

Viktor sighed in great shame. He had gone way too far. Further than he had intended. He needed to clean this up. The first thing he did was place a kiss on Jayce’s neck. Two kisses, slathering healing saliva over the cuts so they healed quickly, just to help along the man’s Piltovian blood. Then he looked down at Jayce shirt, wincing at the bloody mess he’d made of it. Right. He would need to get rid of that.
Instantly he ripped off Jayce’s shirt and used that to wipe the evidence left on the floor. He located the door the man had been reaching for, at least the slave was quiet now.

Kicking it open, he managed to deposit the boy inside the room, under the covers, hopefully, he would think it was all a dream. It took a bit of fixing to set the collar back in place. He growled as he sealed it in place with metal. At least the lock wasn’t undone. He’d have to get Mel a new one, an apology gift, a slave collar better designed in the colours of Noxus and Zaun.

Then Viktor stole the bloodied shirt away with him, did not dare leave evidence behind. He very quietly shut the door of Jayce’s bedroom door behind him, shaking his head at the night’s events.

Once again, he should have just listened to Mel.

*****

“Jayce?”

“GAH!”

Jayce bolted up in bed, gasping in fear as he clutched the blankets to his body. He was shocked to blink in bright light.
He was alive. He was alive?

Jayce glanced down at his neck, shocked to see the collar in place… his shirt was gone? Had he gone to bed without a shirt? What happened? He’d had a terrible nightmare. He was still panting wildly and shook his head to dispel the dream.

“Jayce?” a soft voice called again and he jumped to see Mel sitting by him. She also raised a brow in confusion and he sighed in relief.
Mel. Mel was here.
“Mel,” Jayce croaked, tears beading in his eyes and her gaze softened.

“Oh baby, did you have a bad dream,” she cooed and cupped his face.

A dream?

Jayce looked around now at the rumpled sheets beside him, the open window, the sun illuminating the bedroom and the fresh air that cooled his fear. Had that experience truly been a dream? It had felt so real. He stared at Mel bewildered but seeing her soft concerned expression helped to ease the fast beating of his heart.

“A dream,” Jayce said softly as all the memories came back. smashing against the wall. Those long fangs sank into his shoulder. His heart beat rapidly and he tossed the blankets off, racing into the halls.

“Jayce?” Mel called in concern but he stared at the wall where he’d been smashed. It was clean. There was not a sign of the dent as his body had hit concrete and…..
Jayce’s hands raised to his shoulder, arm rolling as he felt no pain. The long rug in the hallway was clean as well without a spec of dust or a strand out of place. The carpet was identical and cleaned as usual by the mechanical servants.
A dream. It had to be.

Mel had come out to join him now and she looked perplexed. He could not blame her, he was acting weird.

“I-“ He felt sheepish as his hand rubbed at his collar and Mel’s gaze trailed to it. The collar felt unbroken and whole. Everything was as it was. This must be a side effect from staying up for so long thinking about magic. Jayce sighed and shook his head.

“I’m sorry,” he said softly. “I had a nightmare.”

“A terrible one I suppose,” Mel smiled fondly as she caressed his face and he leaned into her touch, her grounding.

“It was….crazy,” he had to admit with a small frown. He’d spent so long worrying about little V. Perhaps that was why he had dreamt of the Master turning into a giant bat and eating him. Jayce shuddered as he wondered just what the Master would do to the person sleeping with his wife. Speaking of said wife, he turned his attention to Mel and smiled, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.

“I’m sorry for worrying you,” he said with a soft smile.
“It’s alright darling. As long as you are okay,” Mel said softly and Jayce nodded, his thoughts distracted. She led him back to the bedroom and he followed, still feeling like the dream felt so real.

“My husband looked over your work,” Mel added and Jayce blinked in surprise, turning his focus to her.
“He… He did?” Jayce blinked and Mel smiled.
“He liked it,” Mel said.

Oh.

Jayce thought back to the Master of the house that was surprisingly small and lithe and beautiful. He had been much taller than Jayce in his dream, even in that half-human form.
He liked it.

Jayce found a slow smile starting to bloom and his hands rubbed his cheeks. The Master liked his theory.

“You seem a little shaken so you can get some rest until breakfast, okay? I’ll have it brought to you here so relax, Jayce?” Mel smiled.

“Yes, thank you,” Jayce smiled. He gushed when she blew him a kiss and watched until she shut the door. Though he did notice that this time when she stepped out into the hall, she locked the door behind her.

******

Viktor was hiding in his lab.

If you asked him, he would not say that he was hiding in the lab, he was just…resting. There were a lot of theories that he wanted to explore and test, especially with the new breakthrough and he was making much progress ever since that boy.

Jayce.

Viktor groaned. He could not get that boy out of his head…and lately out of his mouth. Without thinking about it, his tongue ran over his lips as he tried to bring back that taste. Honey, milk, tangerine and a little more. His thoughts were almost wistful and regretful now that Jayce had slipped through his fingers. He was also heavily embarrassed.

“Hello Viktor,” his wife’s voice greeted him and the Zaunite shrunk in his seat, his hand raised partly to cover his face.
Mel was here.

“My wife,” Viktor mumbled, failing to look her in the eyes. She stalked through the room, the sounds of her heels casually strolling through the lab. She was a presence, cowed even the bravest man.

“I sure hope you got some rest,” she cooed.
“I managed. Why do you ask?” Viktor mumbled.
“Oh, just a little birdie telling me that, and you won't believe it, my husband was wandering the halls last night. Tearing down things, eating hybrids.” She smirked knowingly at him but he persisted in avoiding her gaze.

“A rather interesting rumour,” Viktor mumbled.
“Not as crazy as the dent I saw in his collar,” Mel rolled her eyes. “Metal bending it seemed. Someone somehow pulled the leather together together and sealed it together with magic steel. Fortunately, the boy can’t see the shoddy patchwork, it's on his neck. Would you happen to know anyone who can do that?”

“…… I’m sorry,” Viktor lowered his head and she laughed in triumph. It was much like a bird’s cry of victory as she pulled up a chair, happily seating beside him.

“I happened to catch you two together, you seemed rather snug,” Mel giggled and he looked mortified to realise this. “I didn't want to interrupt.”

“I-“ Viktor flushed in embarrassment. “You were in the halls?"
“The screaming would have woken the dead, Viktor,” Mel said frankly. “Jayce has a pair of lungs on him. Great for holding his breath…. among other things.” She smiled slyly and Viktor stared aghast.

“You-“ He had so much to unpack from that reply, but he focused on defending himself. “That is not what happened! I was just trying to talk to him.”
“I don't think either of you accomplished much talking,” Mel smirked and Viktor’s face burned. His shoulder bowed and his head slumped, face falling into his hands in defeat. Her poor husband did look rather horrified. Despite appearances, Viktor could be easily flustered and he was weak to embarrassing situations. She was pleased to note that despite his forlorn expression, his skin tone looked a tad earlier and there was more colour on his cheeks, and it was not entirely because of the blush.

“I can't ever bring myself to show my face around him,” he whimpered and his wife cooed.
“A huge pity,” she said.

“Mel, it was humiliating,” Viktor groaned, smacking his hand on the table with an embarrassed sigh. “The poor child was mortified.”
“Most people would be,” she pointed out.

‘But you're not’ went unsaid. She looked at him with a bit of pity but they exchanged a look of understanding and he sighed, shoulders dropping. Mel was surprisingly not horrified by what he really looked like, something that had taken Viktor off guard when she’d seen him fly into the manor one night. Perhaps it had something to do with growing up in Noxus. Whatever it was, Viktor was grateful for it.

“I did not mean to cause a scene,” Viktor mumbled, head dragging on the table and Mel caressed her hand through his long wavy ponytail. So soft, it was so unfair. Viktor never used products and still his hair was immaculate.
“I was excited and I might have....skipped a meal or two,” Viktor mumbled and winced, waiting for a scolding.
None came.

Mel hummed and nodded; she had expected that Viktor was skipping meals. It was yet another motivating factor in bringing Jayce home.

“How was his blood?” she asked, her eyes sparkling.
“I beg your pardon?” Viktor said in surprise, raising his head.
“How was it?” Mel insisted and Viktor blinked in confusion. Quickly his wits caught up and he gaped at her, pointing accusingly.

“You! You did something, didn't you?!” Viktor gasped.
“Did what?” Mel smirked with a cock of her head.
“You must have.” The boy had tasted divine and his head spun now thinking of it. His wife was aware that he had a sweet tooth, she’d been trying to put him on the slave for ages. Jayce had been fed only a special diet, it had been a trap long since building, to think it would spring at such a time. Viktor babbled in shock.

“He tasted like....nothing I'd ever….” He still looked bewildered, hands grasping at the air, eyes wide.
“He tasted like luck maybe?” Mel chuckled.
“Gold,” Viktor blinked and Mel hummed curiously.

Gold. She had wondered if Jayce’s noble Piltovian blood would contribute to his taste. A leprechaun hmm.
Mel pouted as she watched Viktor’s eyes of wonder, fingers absently playing with her hair.

“Better than me?” she pouted.
“I've never drank your blood, Mel, I fear you'd be too hot for me,” Viktor chuckled in amusement and his wife grinned. Viktor returned that smile.
“You know I don't handle spice well,” he added with a small smile.

“But he was to your taste,” she pressed and he sighed with an amused shake of his head. Sometimes it was amazing the lengths that his wife went for him.

“Yes,” he finally admitted, dragging his hand down his face. “Thank you.”

“I did say we could share him,” Mel beamed and leaned into him. This time he didn’t pull away and it flooded her heart with joy. “In more ways than one.”

Tension built between them as they stared at each other’s lips. Viktor leaning closer but Mel just slipped away teasingly and he growled. Her eyes danced with delight and she walked back to the steps.

“However, sharing won’t work if you ruin him,” she scolded and he sulked with a nod.
“Forgive me,” Viktor mumbled.

“Stop skipping meals. If you must feed from the vein, you can use Jayce. If he is not enough, let me know. I can get you more.” She nodded at him and his heart softened at her love. His wife was incredible. She managed all his affairs without a word of complaint and she looked out for him. She wanted to kiss him. Damnit, he wanted to kiss her.

Viktor pulled to his feet, grabbed his staff, and prepared to stalk after her. She waited for him by the stairs and then pressed something to his chest.

“Now, do try to clean up,” Mel said with an amused smile. “I'm afraid your retreat into your shell cannot last very long this time.”

“Why not?” Viktor blinked and Mel looked pointedly at the envelope she pressed against his chest. He grabbed it curiously and instantly recognised the seal.

“It's from the king,” Mel grinned and Viktor groaned with a sigh.

“You can escape many a ball,” Mel grinned. “But you can't say no to a birthday party.”