The battle for control continued.  At least right up until the point where Ryland began his efforts to “prove” himself, his skills.  The fight then bled from Kethaias and he stretched out an arm behind him to brace himself up on the bed and watch.  Admire was the more appropriate term.  Ryland’s mouth was indeed proficient, as much as any man’s in his harem back home, if not more so.<br/><br/>The urge to take back control, to grab Ryland’s hair and push that mouth along as he saw fit, that all fled from him soon enough.  The prince knew what he was doing, and it was a beautiful thing to simply feel and watch him work.  Keth’s breathing become more uneven.  It was hard to think straight when he could feel the tight confines of Ryland’s throat pressing down around his cock, and so he chose not to think at all.<br/><br/>Ryland seemed to be done all too soon.  All for the better, because seeing that lovely mouth tainted with himself was the most arousing sight of all.  In no time he had Ryland on the bed, pants off.<br/><br/><i>I touched myself earlier.</i><br/><br/>He paused and looked at the naughty prince.  How detailed had that touching been, he wondered?  Had he simply prepared himself for their triste?   Or had Ryland worked himself into a proper heat and fucked himself with his fingers, or one of the toys in his collection, until he came across his own golden chest?  Questions for another time, perhaps.  It could be great foreplay.<br/><br/>He used the oil indicated and returned to abuse the man’s mouth with his own.  He pressed himself between Ryland’s thighs and was ready.  Beyond ready.<br/><br/>Then there was the door, a flurry of movement, and a voice.  Had Kethaias been equipped with one of his knives, it might’ve already been imbedded in Gharreld’s chest on reflex.  To his credit, he actually waited a moment, expecting the men to make a hasty retreat back the way they came.  When that did not happen, he sighed and righted his clothing to make himself at least somewhat presentable.<br/><br/><i>…a major insurrection in your empire.</i><br/><br/>His heart sank.  Right away he thought of his palace, the innocents within.<i>Zeph…</i>It was unlikely that the rebellion was anywhere near there, but he would never be able to drown out the fear that those he needed to protect were in danger.<br/><br/><i>This is a grave offense.</i><br/><br/>That comment was like a splash of icy cold water.  It wasn’t like the whole kingdom didn’t know how Ryland was.  Hell, Kethaias had it figured out in just a few hours of arrival.  Even Gharreld had to know more than he wanted about his younger brother’s proclivities, no matter how blissful he might’ve wanted to remain.<br/><br/>The problem that Keth was having with it in that moment was the sheer disrespect for privacy, for decency.  It was as if they’d been caught exchanging notes in a dark corner of the hall and not fully committed to very naked, very hot sex.<br/><br/>Ryland saved him from a kneejerk rebuttal.  Just barely.<br/><br/><i>Your answer, Sir?</i><br/><br/>Keth looked at his beautiful, golden prince, who look annoyed and disappointed, but hardly heartbroken.  The only stake he had in this was the physical.  That was what Kethaias had come to the room for, too.  Just a romp, some fun, a little ease of his longing.  Even with the other powerful Banquish men standing there, waiting on his reply, he took the time to reach out and brush some messy, golden curls back from Ryland’s face and offered him a weak smile.  There was a realization in his gaze, one that spoke of sadness, though it was brief.<br/><br/>He was done here.  It was unlikely he’d ever return.<br/><br/><i>I should’ve just fucked you and let them watch,</i>he signed between them, letting on for the first time during his visit that he’d learned at least enough of Banque’s double-speak to get by.  There was a pause.<i>Goodbye.</i><br/><br/>His eyes hardened.  The kind expression he wore melted away, leaving the old one of stone that more closely resembled the way Ryland first saw him.  What fun they’d managed had come to an end, and it was time for him to go back to being the ruthless Warrior King.<br/><br/>“A grave offense, indeed,” he stated, turning to stare the older brother down.  He didn’t bother to hide the fact that he was angered over the meddling.  “Intruding on private matters that do not concern you.  Unless you happen to be jealous of your brother…?”<br/><br/>He moved away from the bed, eyeing Teleyard as he did.  It was likely his poison in the crowned prince’s ear, blowing it all out of proportion.  Just the sight of him made Keth want to snap his neck.  The hostility he felt was not veiled.<br/><br/>“Ryland was never a plaything to me,” he stated, keeping his voice low but firm, that growl still there.  It wasn’t the sexually charged thing that it was before, but now all contained rage.  “You do your brother a great disservice.  Perhaps you should stop projecting your opinion of him onto others as a way to insult them.  Particularly,” he added, moving in at what must have been an uncomfortable proximity to Gharreld, “one who could level your entire little kingdom in less than a week.”<br/><br/>He caught Rijek shifting around.  His man was uncomfortable with the way things were devolving.  Seriously, a war over a little fling was the last thing Kethaias needed right then.  Even if he saw it as an easy win, with trouble already sprouting back home it was hardly worth spreading his resources.<br/><br/>“Come, Rijek.  We’ll be leaving tonight.”  He shoulder his way past the other two men and headed back to the rooms he’d been provided to prepare for departure.  As far as he was concerned, the crowned prince was welcome to follow or stay behind.  It was expected that guards would be called in to see them safely out, but he didn’t give a damn about that, either.<br/><br/>“The negotiations?” the redhead asked.<br/><br/>He’d spent too long away from his duties for too long, let people grow restless.  This was his fault for indulging in a lengthy peace treaty.<br/><br/>“On hold.”<br/><br/>“For how long?”<br/><br/>“Indefinitely!” he growled from between clenched teeth.