Promising Submission

Now beta'd thanks Crystallyn

Chapter 14

Nathanial was nervous. He spent most of the morning checking over every list he’d made; now he was rushing around trying to find something to do with his hands. Something physical always calmed his nerves. The food was taken care of. The guests had all RSVP’d and were due to arrive at 9:00 PM. Harry was still sleeping, which would have annoyed Nathanial to no end if it was possible to be annoyed at Harry. It was his thing, his party/poker night and he was sleeping. Granted it was only 3:15 PM and they were expected to stay up all night, but still.

Today was Harry’s birthday. He wouldn’t tell Nathanial how old he was, but Nathanial guessed he was closing in on thirty. He wondered if Harry wouldn’t tell him because he thought he was getting old. He didn’t look old. His body was still strong and muscled, but tempered with adulthood, skin still smooth and supple like silk over steel. His dark almost black hair never showed any signs of age. The only evidence that he wasn’t just out of his youth could be found in his face; his eyes world weary, his features sharpened by his experiences. It would be ridiculous to say that Harry was getting older.

This poker night thing was Harry’s only allowance. Nathanial had begged and pleaded and ultimately given in and used some of the wiles he’d learned in his time on the streets to tempt Harry with his body. Nathanial knew Harry wasn’t fooled, and only changed his mind slightly. He still refused to let Nathanial tell anyone it was his birthday or make them bring presents. Nathanial agreed because he knew, Harry’s guests would bring something anyway, just because they were being invited to his house for the first time. Or at least they’d better. It was only polite.

Thinking about Harry’s guests only ratcheted Nathanial’s nerves up. When Harry had given him the guest list and Nathanial saw all the powerful people on it, he’d nearly fainted. He’d immediately started in on the elves to fix the place up. Harry had laughed, telling him that after this event, the elves would have a new respect for him and his role in Harry’s home. He did feel like a proper Lady of the Manor, ordering them around, even though that hadn’t been his reason for doing so. They could do things in a much timelier manor then he could by himself; he’d always believed in using one’s resources. He’d surprised himself with his treatment of Harry’s servants; never in his life had he been as demanding to any living thing as he was to them, he’d even let the pet dog he’d adopted on the street push him around. But these little things loved to be bossed around, and Nathanial was made to please.

He was sure Harry had no idea the games he was bringing into his house by inviting these people. Harry wanted it to be a simple poker game, but you cannot invite The Master of the City and his Second and Third along with the Ulfric and his Second and Third and the Nimir-Raj and whoever he brought, to meet Harry’s werewolf and wizard friends from England and expect it to be a simple game. Nathanial tried to tell him this, but Harry always brushed him off. With, admittedly, little protest, Nathanial had taken over getting everything ready. Harry expected them all to just show up, he’d brake out the cards and they’d all play, no issues. Nathanial knew that wasn’t possible, so he’d gone behind his master’s back and taken care of the details.

He’d called Richard and asked if it was okay for Harry’s werewolf uncle to come to the city for the night. Yes Richard would meet him at Harry’s, no the wolf wasn’t interested in joining the pack, no he wasn’t interested in pack politics. He just wanted to spend time with Harry.

That taken care of, he’d called Jean-Claude and told him that there would be seven wizards, one of which was a werewolf at Harry’s party thing. He didn’t know if they were as powerful as Harry. He expected that they would want to go back to England when the night was over. Jean-Claude would have to ask them if they’d be willing to feed someone.

Sigh, the work of a hostess is never done. Nathanial chuckled at the thought. He’d never really thought about himself as a woman, but Anita had called him her housewife so often that the idea had stuck. He was most definitely in an accepted female role with Harry. He never mentioned it to him though, knowing that it wouldn’t go over well. He felt useful this way, taking care of the details for the party Harry wanted to throw, taking care of his needs.

The memory of how many ways he took care of Harry’s needs, on his knees with Harry’s cock down his throat, bent over any available piece of furniture, or bound tightly to a rack, writhing to Harry’s tune; caused pleasure to slice through him. The punishment from running had been over for a week and so Nathanial let it pulse through him instead of ruthlessly shoving it aside. He thought perhaps he could find something to do with his hands after all.

Utilizing his cat grace, he stalked to their bed where Harry was sleeping. Silently, he kneeled on the floor right next to his master’s head and whimpered. Instantly alert green eyes focused on him, just like Nathanial knew they would. His master was always attuned to his needs. “Nathanial? What time is it?” Nathanial answered, “Just after three master.” Harry blinked at the title, readjusting his mind. Nathanial watched it. His eyes flicked to the door and around the room. He probably used some magic or something to check that the house was in order as was his usual habit after waking and then his attention returned to where Nathanial was kneeling.

He smirked, “You woke me up pet.” Not a question but Nathanial answered anyway, “Yes Master.”

Harry pushed the covers down and shifted until he was seated on the edge of the bed in front of Nathanial’s face, legs parted on either side. Nathanial could see his aroused prick tenting his boxers. “Please, let me take care of that for you Master.” Nathanial licked his lips and shifted forward in anticipation.

His master put a restraining hand on his head and pushed the boxers down, freeing his erection. “I think you woke me up because that is what you wanted.” Nathanial switched his attention from the mouth watering sight in front of him to his master’s smirking face. “You woke me up so you could suck me.” Again, not a question, but Nathanial felt compelled to reply. “Yes Master.” He didn’t care if he got punished for it; he was so hungry for his master’s touch.

“I will give you what you want,” Nathanial whimpered and then gasped when his master pushed him aside and to the floor, standing up in the space he left. “But I will do it on my terms.” That was fine with Nathanial. It was better that way anyway.

He ordered Nathanial to kneel in front of him. “You will take what I give you and be proud I think you can handle it. There will be no complaints.” It was completely superfluous to tell Nathanial not to complain, and they both knew it. Nathanial would never complain he had no desire to. He opened his mouth and hummed when his master gave him the tip of his cock. He used his tongue to circle the mushroomed head and pointed it to stab the tip. He moaned at the taste that hit his palate; sharp, salty and strong.

Slowly his master pushed more into his mouth, Nathanial worshiped every inch he was given. He sucked hard at the mouthful, trying to pull more in, and his master pulled back, “I will give it to you, do not demand more.” Nathanial moaned when his master didn’t immediately put what he’d worked up to back in. “Every time you demand more, you will have to start over.” Nathanial whimpered quietly but accepted it. His master was amazingly adept at pushing all the right buttons. Nathanial loved cock, loved how it felt in his mouth, pushing his lips wide, and how it chocked him. Harry’s cock was a thing of beauty, and Nathanial craved it.

He moaned in loss when his master pulled out, but gurgled in happiness when he realized his master was beginning to thrust into him. It was a slow dance. Not even half of it into Nathanial’s waiting cavern. His master picked up speed, and Nathanial moaned when he felt the tip of it finally hit the back of his throat. Harry’s hands fisted in his loose hair and forced Nathanial down until his nose was buried in his master’s hair. He swallowed convulsively around the cock down his throat. His master held him there until black dots floated in this vision.

He pulled out and let him force air back into his lungs for a moment before gripping the dripping cock with his hand and smacking Nathanial’s face with it a few times, leaving thick drops of saliva all over his face. Nathanial opened his mouth and let his tongue out to taste it, moaning at the shock of each slap. He knew he would never get enough of his master’s cock.

Forcefully Harry thrust all the way back in and fucked Nathanial’s face with abandon. Nathanial opened wide, relaxed his throat and moaned. He knew better then to brace himself on Harry’s thighs. His master felt it gave him an allusion of control, that he could stop him if he pushed hard enough. He opened his eyes and begged around the throat full of cock.

“Touch yourself pet, I want to see how excited you are to have my cock, how hungry you are to have me fucking your face. How you love that you can’t stop me, can’t do anything about it. Not because you’re tied up but because you know it would be useless. You chose for it to be this way. You could stop me, but you won’t. I own you, and you let me.”

Nathanial moaned and did as ordered, pulling out his hot and heavy cock from its confines. He fisted it in time with his master’s thrusts, moaning like a bitch in heat.

It didn’t take long before his master’s expert handling of him and his words tipped Nathanial over the edge. Through his orgasm he felt his master’s cock pulse and breathed out one last time. Harry froze deep in Nathanial’s throat and came, slowly pulling out. Nathanial swallowed every burst of seed and relished in the taste. He was beginning to recognize the hum under his skin. It was power. His master had lost control because of him. He had let Harry be his master, let him use him, let him own him.

“Good Nathanial, you’re beginning to get it.” Not for the first time Nathanial wondered how often Harry read his mind. It didn’t scare him; he didn’t have anything to hide. He never lied to Harry. If he chose to ask instead of read it directly from his mind, he would get the same thing. It was easier this way.

Nathanial smiled up at him and Harry bent down to wipe the saliva from his face. “Come on, help me get dressed.”

Nathanial loved this too. It wasn’t only about submission during sex with Harry. He picked out his clothes and helped Harry into them, holding the clothes firmly while Harry slipped into them. He zipped him up and buttoned all the buttons. Harry had him serve different needs, all his needs. Sometimes he ran the bath and washed him. Sometimes he did menial tasks, always with his master watching, commenting on his performance, telling him how good he was doing, or what he was doing wrong. Other times he fed his master, choosing what he thought his master would like best. It made Nathanial feel useful, useful for more then just sex.

“Have you taken care of the details?” Harry asked him while Nathanial was helping him into his shirt. “Yes Master, I informed all the appropriate people you were having preternatural here and everyone should be coming. I don’t know who Micah’s bringing. The biggest den is ready but you don’t have enough chairs. I still need to check the food to make sure it will be ready on time. They kicked me out of the kitchen a few hours ago.” Harry chuckled. “Looks like you have it all under control. Who did you inform and why did you need to?”

“Oh, well you’re supposed to tell the local Ulfric when a werewolf comes into town that he doesn’t know, and I told Jean-Claude we were having seven wizards here. I just wanted to make sure there weren’t any problems.” Nathanial said worriedly.

Harry hummed, “I didn’t know that all needed to be done. Well done.” He smiled at Nathanial and the leopard’s heart sped up. He made his Harry proud. He sighed a little purposely ignoring that it made him sound like a little girl.

Harry pulled him into a hug. His strong arms surrounded him and holding him firm. He loved the way this felt, Harry holding him, keeping him safe in his embrace. When Anita hugged him, it was short. She let go almost as soon as it started. Harry always held him until he had to let go. Nathanial buried his head in Harry’s chest and sighed.

Dobby startled him by popping into the room. “Master Harry, there be a two wolfys and a kitty cat at the door.” “I know Dobby guide them into the small den, we’ll be there shortly.” Harry said and reluctantly let go of Nathanial.

“It’s your friend Jason and a leopard and wolf I don’t know.” Nathanial nodded and followed him to where they were waiting. Jason and Stephen and Gregory were waiting with their hands full of cookies and things. “We thought we could help you set up.” Stephen said.

Nathanial smiled and shot a look at Harry. He was watching Jason but didn’t seem to be mad. “Thanks, come on I’ll take you to the kitchen, and then show you around.” He shot another glance at Harry and got a nod. Harry didn’t follow them.

As soon as he was out of hearing range Stephen said, “Hey, he’s really hot. He got a brother?” Nathanial laughed because it was a joke, Stephen was completely straight. As in, to the point that Nathanial didn’t mention men he thought were hot for fear of repercussions, straight. It was a relief to know one of his best friends chose to joke about it instead of freak out. “Not that I know of.”

“Well if he did, you can bet he’d treat you better.” Nathanial sighed. Jason was on that again. Harry would kick him out of the house again if he heard it.

“Jason, drop it. Even I can tell this is what they want.” Stephen whirled on him and Nathanial was momentarily shocked. Gregory nodded and together they silenced Jason. Nathanial was glad Gregory had came. Even though Gregory was a leopard and not a wolf, he was more dominant then Jason. If it had just been Stephen, Jason could have pulled rank on him and Stephen would have stepped down. Stephen and Nathanial were on the same bar in their respective pack/pard but he couldn’t imagine being as submissive as he was with wolves instead of leopards. They were just so much more ridged and violent. “Jason please, can’t we just hang out?” He asked in a weak voice. He could boss around the elves, but he would never be strong enough to take on another person.

Half a second later, Harry was standing in the doorway, “Problem kitten?” Nathanial shook his head but glanced at Jason, signaling that there could be. He wouldn’t lie to Harry even to save Jason. “Ah yes, you. I’m pretty sure I told you not to come back here.”

“This is Nathanial’s house too and I can see my friend if I want, you can’t stop me.”

Harry laughed and Nathanial grabbed Stephen and Gregory to pull them back. That was not a good laugh. They all shuddered when the power Harry was always surrounded in pulsed and turned deadly. Nathanial knew this was just a minuscule fraction of the power he had. He had to have so much control to keep it tightly locked up. That he was showing any of it signaled to Nathanial that this would not end well for Jason.

The wolf obviously figured that out too as he dropped to his knees and rubbed his cheek on Harry’s shoe, classic wolf submission to the ultimate power. The dark intent pulsing around them softened. “You only have one chance. I will make my apologies to your master after that.” Nathanial hoped Jason took Harry at his word. The wizard shot a barely apologetic look at Nathanial and he nodded. It was something that Harry would have to do now that he’d made the threat. Harry didn’t need to apologize, but it warmed Nathanial that he did anyway. Jason nodded and whimpered.

There was a tense moment after Harry left. “Come on show us around this place. It looks awesome.” Stephen said, his too wide eyes belayed his apathetic tone. Hours later they were suitably impressed with the tour.

Nathanial led his three friends to the largest den at 8 o’clock to let them rest, and to check to make sure everything was ready. Harry and Damian were already in there. They seemed to have put the finishing touches on the place. Harry turned to look at Nathanial as he walked in. The leopard didn’t even pause before going to his master and kneeled at his feet, burying his face in his master’s hip. It had been hours since he’d seen the man. They had of course been apart that long before, just not when Nathanial was with others. He heard a huff from Jason, but Nathanial ignored it, knowing that Harry would have to take care of it if it was a problem.

They rested that way, Harry’s hand in his hair and his face in Harry’s hip, for a few minutes, letting Nathanial reacquaint himself with his master’s scent. Then Harry’s hand tightened in Nathanial’s hair and pulled him to his feet.

The five of them tested everything and chatted until the door bell rang at 8:45. Harry got up to answer it and the other younger men placed bets on who was early.

“Micah, he has wanted to see you for weeks.” Bet Gregory.

“Jean-Claude, he really wants to talk to Harry.” This was from Jason. “Nah, he’ll want to make an entrance I’m sure.” Stephen countered. “I’ll bet its Richard, come to see if we’re still alive.”

Nathanial said, “It could be Asher,” he hoped the desperate lilt in his voice was overlooked. From the smirks on the others’ faces, they caught it.

It turned out that Stephen was right. The Ulfric and Harry chatted while the two silent protectors watched on.

Harry got up a few more times to answer the door before the first of his wizard friends came in. The fireplace in the den was lit and Nathanial knew the others had been confused about it. That confusion lifted when the flames turned green and two twin red heads came bumbling through. They lifted up and opened their mouths, merriment in the making, only to freeze when they got a good look at the people in the room.

“Gred?”

“Yea Forge?”

“I think we’re too ugly to be here.”

“I’m thinking your right brother mine, the only one ugly enough to be competition is our Harry.”

Harry had laughed and walked up to pull them both into a strapping man hug, as Gregory always called them. “Me and you guys are going to keep them beautiful people in check, brothers mine. Let me introduce you.” He shifted until he was between them and subtly moved them out of the way of the fireplace.

“Missourians, this is George and Fred Weasley, my adopted brothers, don’t eat anything they give you.”

“Hey!”

“You’re taking away…”

“Our chances at getting even…”

“With the beautiful people.”

Watching them talk was like watching tennis, only faster. They didn’t even pause to let the other know they needed to speak. Harry smiled but ignored them otherwise. “From right to left, is Shang-Da, Richard, and Jamil, the top three wolves around here. The blonde blue eyed doll twins next to them are Stephen and his brother Gregory, my kitten’s friend. Try not to get into a competition.” Both red heads winked at the other twins and everyone smiled indulgently. Nathanial could tell these two would bring life to the otherwise kind of boring night. “The lavender eyed one is my kitten, Nathanial.” Harry forced the two of them to look at him. “He’s off limits”

“Got it boss.” One of them said. Nathanial flushed.

“Next to him is Damian.”

“Is he off limits?”

“Yea I got a thing for red-heads.”

Gregory and Stephen tried to hold in their laughs. Nathanial noticed that Richard’s eyes were flicking from one to the other as if wondering if they were serious. Damian narrowed his eyes, more reaction than Nathanial expected from him, and the twins smirked. The game was on. Nathanial knew from Harry’s twinkling eyes that he wasn’t going to tell the twins what Damian was or how old he was. Nathanial chuckled and leaned on Damian.

“Next we have Cherry, Micah, and Noah. We’re waiting for Remus, Sirius, Neville, Luna, Severus and Jean-Claude and Asher. There may be other people, so far a few I didn’t expect showed up.”

Nathanial saw Jason flush, but he didn’t lower his eyes. Richard saw it and Nathanial wondered how much trouble the wolf would be in.

“Alright well now that we’re all acquainted.” The red headed twins saddled up to the other twins and the four of them had some kind of contest Nathanial didn’t understand. “Well that has to suck.” The left Weasley twin said, “Yea,” said the other. “It’s too easy to tell them apart when they’ve got different animals prowling around in ‘em.”

The fire turned green and two older men walked out, one showing lycanthropic grace and making Richard stand up, the other would have fallen if not for the swift catch of the dusky brown haired man’s quickness.

“Remus, Sirius. Did you get here alright?” they didn’t get to answer because just then the fire turned green and a darkly dressed man with a hooked nose stepped out gracefully. Damian stood up alert. “Harry Potter, you did not inform Jean-Claude you were going to have a Vampire here.”

Everyone froze. Harry cocked his head and looked from Damian to the man who’d come through. “Severus? Well that’s because I didn’t know.”

The dark man, Severus, nodded at Harry and looked at Damian. “I have it taken care of. I didn’t know it would be an issue. I will leave. Thank you for the invitation Harry.”

The grey eyed man who tripped into the lycan stopped him, “What do you mean you didn’t know Sevvy?” Severus looked like he wanted to say, ‘don’t call me that’ but restrained himself. “You knew where Harry was living.” The lycan said.

“Yes, which is why I didn’t realize having another vampire would affect anyone.” The door bell rang and Harry ordered Severus not to leave until they got this solved. The sour man nodded.

Damian said, in his calm business like manor, “You should have informed the Master of the City you were coming.”

“Why would my travel arrangements be any of their business?” he snarked.

Nathanial glanced around the room to see everyone’s reactions. Most, except the wizards, were confused as to how he could not know. The others wondered what the big deal was. One of the twins asked, “Why would it be the City’s Master’s business?”

The reply came in the form of Asher, who’d come in the door with Jean-Claude, Requiem and Harry. “Because it is a death sentence to enter another Vampire’s territory unannounced.” Nathanial whimpered when all the wizards moved as one to stand between the rouge vampire and the others, including Harry.

“Hold up, no one is killing anyone in my house. Consider this neutral territory.” It was a big claim. Nathanial wondered if Harry knew what he was getting into. A claim like that insinuated that one had the power to back it up. Although, Nathanial considered, Harry did have the power to back it up, so perhaps it would be alright.

“That is not our intention Monsieur Potter.” Harry assessed Jean-Claude before waving the other’s away. He directed them like a general, or like Jean-Claude. Nathanial wondered at their history. The flame flared green again and the stare down was interrupted by a blonde girl and a broad brunet man in a green dress tumbling over each other.

“Neville, we came just in time to see the snake protected by lions.” The one called Neville grunted and pulled them to their feet. “Harry, Professor.” He nodded and pushed the girl with wide blue eyes behind him while flicking a stick into his hand. “Problems?”

Harry laughed a shaky laugh and shook his head, “No Neville, your getting quicker on the draw.” “Yea stories for later,” was the reply. His seriousness caught Harry’s attention and Nathanial felt his heart lurch.

“Alright enough of this; Severus, how long?”

“Not long, I was turned about a year ago.”

The vampires in the room gasped and Damian moved to protect Nathanial. “Oh for Salazar’s sake, I’m under control.”

“How?” Requiem asked. “You should be locked up by your sire, learning how to feed, not talking to us let alone coming to play poker with humans.”

Severus snarled, “My sire is dead. I killed him just after he turned me and I’ve been controlling the bloodlust with potions.” He turned to Harry, “I can see my presence here is causing an uproar. It was good to see you.”

Harry stopped him wordlessly with a look and the man sighed. “I just want to know what’s going on.”

Asher explained. “It take’s a fledgling years to learn the control expected, to become independent. He, your sire, should have taken you to their court and trained you. You shouldn’t have been strong enough to kill him.” Severus sneered at him, “I have survived darker things then vampires. One moment of inattention was not enough to bring me down.” The other wizards smiled; obviously this man was very strong. Although that was obvious by the way Requiem was eyeing the man. “What spell did you use?” Harry asked. Severus smirked, “the Blood Removing curse.” The vampires blanched, but Harry chuckled. “You are an evil man, Severus. You couldn’t just kill him?”

Severus put on an offended air, “After he just drained me? I think not.”

Harry shook his head but turned to Asher for more information. He complied. “It must be that you have been alone that you do not know the proper way of things. You are a rouge, and it would be well within any other vampire’s rights to put you down.” Jean-Claude stepped in, “We will of course offer you protection and training if you wish.”

The dark wizard’s face darkened and Harry rushed to interrupt his answer. “Not tonight, tonight we play poker. It’s all set up and everyone is here.” He moved to show them and reluctantly everyone followed. “We’re going to have a tournament since there are so many people here. There are three tables. Every hour we will shuffle around. Sound good?”

Everyone nodded and Harry pushed Nathanial into a seat and claimed the one next to him. One of the red heads said, “Ah Harry, you wound us. Hiding away your pet like that. We wouldn’t hurt him.” Harry snarled at them.

The smiles fell off their faces, “Off limits.” Harry reiterated. “Yes sir” every wizard responded immediately. Nathanial could tell Damian was impressed, well all those from St. Louis were. They’d all known there was more to Harry Potter then they guessed, but to have this many powerful, some obviously older then him, people responding immediately to an order was astounding.

The night progressed pleasantly for Nathanial after that. Harry was not always by his side but he was always near. If they weren’t at the same table, then he was in the chair that had the best view of him. Nathanial loved it; loved the attention. Loved that everyone there knew Harry was watching and changed their actions accordingly. The only ones who didn’t question Harry’s reaction to every move were Asher and Damian and Jean-Claude, although Nathanial suspected that Jean-Claude was testing Harry.

He lost all his chips almost instantly. Not only did he not truly understand the point of the game, but he couldn’t bear to win. He didn’t even last the first hour. Not too long after that, the girl he learned was called Luna lost. They chatted about things Nathanial had never heard of. She was an odd woman, but Nathanial liked her. She had an innocent out look on life. It was obvious that she didn’t understand the darker things of the world.

As morning neared most of the people had been beaten. The only people still playing were either a vampire, Richard, or Harry. The vampires had unbeatable poker faces and Harry had some kind of crazy luck. Richard was the first to loose, and Nathanial suspected Jean-Claude had looked in his mind.

The others chatted and laughed, entertained by the Weasley’s antics, chasing Damian and his reactions, or Sirius’ stories. Nathanial left to ask the poker players if they needed anything. He wasn’t too surprised to feel Harry’s tense muscles under his hand. He realized after listening for a moment, that this game wasn’t about poker anymore. Jean-Claude was bartering for Harry’s allegiance, with Asher. Nathanial knew that Harry would see it like selling Asher to him.

“Call” Harry said, voice tight with nearly unbridled rage. Nathanial could feel the power just under his skin. He sat in his lap when Harry opened up for him to do so.

Requiem won the hand and Harry handed Nathanial the deck to deal, eyes trained on Jean-Claude’s. All but Nathanial caught the significance. Harry put the decision on Nathanial. “Will this game end tonight?” Asher asked, and Harry nodded. They played another hand and Harry told Nathanial to go sit with Requiem. He didn’t even flinch, just moved to do as ordered. He wasn’t completely comfortable in Requiem’s lap but tried not to let it affect him.

The next hand Nathanial found himself in Jean-Claude’s lap. He dealt the hand, but kept his eyes on Harry the whole time. He was terrified of Jean-Claude. He knew Harry could protect him, but it was instinctual. Jean-Claude rolled him a few times when he was substituting a feeding for Jason, and he’d not expressly wanted the sex that happened.

He let out a relieved sigh when Harry won the round and moved to Asher without being ordered. He didn’t see Harry nod or Jean-Claude’s smile. Asher’s hand slipped around his waist and Nathanial turned to smile at him. He really did care about Asher. Puzzled as to the reason for the sadness behind his eyes, he turned back around to finish dealing and look at Harry. Harry smiled at him, but there was anger in his eyes, anger and acceptance.

Something had happened and Nathanial missed it. He hoped someone told him before too long.

The night ended and Jean-Claude won the game. Nathanial didn’t question when Asher followed Damian down to his room for the day. He was too exhausted.

Harry helped him undress and Nathanial was asleep almost before he hit the bed.