The Copper Horse #1 Fear (22 page)

"Master Erik, I really think he has learnt his lesson."

"Oh, has he?" He could almost hear Erik's smile in the tone of his voice. "He must be hungry, poor thing."

"He must be. Master," Jack lowered his voice even more. "He cried all afternoon. Copper seems to be a bit of a softie, doesn't need so much push."

Reuben pouted, unsure whether he should feel relieved or offended. '
Softie?'
What was he, a buttered bun?

Erik gave a sound of acknowledgment. "Yes, seems that way." He moved closer to the stall in slow, even steps.

Reuben didn't dare look up. He hadn't wanted Erik to know he'd cried. It only made him weaker in his master's eyes!

He heard the steps come to a halt, and the foreign presence in the stall started to weigh on his shoulders. What could Erik possibly want? Another throat-fuck? Reuben slouched even deeper into the hay.

"Copper?" A soft voice called him from the door.

He glanced up at Erik, who towered over him in the dim light. Reuben gulped, willing his body to grovel forward on his knees. He wanted to please this man and make him stop the ache in his jaw. Without a prompt, he leaned down to kiss his master's boots, the ring between his lips scraping on the crisp clean leather. Erik drew in a shaky breath and slowly squatted in front of him.

"My dear Copper, you truly learned your lesson."

Reuben stared at the polished surface of the shoes, hoping it meant he was getting the brace off. Words about his punishment had spread among the servants, and Ollie had barged in earlier, looking at Reuben as if he were some kind of circus freak. It wasn't even that far from the truth with that piece of metal in his mouth. Reuben had never felt so lonely and trapped. The situation ended up with Jack threatening the intruder with a pitchfork, but Ollie still left only after John's intervention.

"It's all right." Erik leaned closer to kiss his cheek. "You were so brave today."

Reuben finally dared to look into his eyes, curling his upper lip in a silent plea. His feelings were one big pot of stew. The kind of stew his father would make, with some of the meat rotten.

Erik smiled and Reuben felt hands at the back of his head, finally unbuckling the straps. Relief washed through him when he got to close his mouth. He would never have guessed how uncomfortable that thing between his teeth could get. He still felt a sharp, metallic aftertaste on his palate, but at least the punishment was over.

Erik sat down in the hay, gently pulling him closer, his fingers playing with Reuben's newly braided hair. "You want to say something?"

"I'm sorry I bit you, sir. I will never do it again," he whispered, surprised by the way his body shook against Erik. It never happened to him before.

Erik swallowed, gently rocking Reuben in his arms. "I appreciate it. You're a good horse, Copper."

Reuben was relieved to see that his owner didn't want to torment him anymore, and he leaned into the hug. Erik's hands were so tender, slowly petting his back and thighs.

"I think you deserve a proper meal now."

"I am hungry, sir," Reuben answered in a whisper. If there were only a chance for him to eat by the table, like a normal person. Erik was the source of his problems, but he had also shown him more kindness than anyone. Ever. Reuben wasn't sure what to make of it.

"Please, call me
Master
." Erik helped him up with a wide smile.

Reuben wondered whether he would have to wear the tail again, but Erik just tugged him along by the halter and reins, which Jack had put on him again about an hour ago as a precaution.

"Yes, Master." Reuben tagged along behind him. At this point, he was willing to eat anything, even if his gums and jaw ached like someone had rubbed them dry.

They passed Jack, who sent an encouraging smile to Reuben.

"What did you do today, Copper?" Erik glanced back at him, trying to make conversation.

"Maybe, as a horse, I shouldn't speak?" Reuben was afraid of yet another argument.

The master let his gaze linger on his face as they progressed down the corridor, straight to the gruesome dining room. "Not as my horse. I like your lot responsive."

"I was hungry, in pain, and sad." It was an honest answer, though he didn't know how it would go down with Erik. He still wasn't certain what made the man tick.

Erik's brows gathered into a frown. "Why sad?"

"I'm sorry, Master, it doesn't matter." Making him angry was the last thing Reuben wanted after what had been the worst day of his life.

"No, please, tell me." Erik slowed down his pace, letting Reuben catch up with him.

Reuben swallowed a lump in his throat, trying to keep from shivering, but he felt like there was a black hole in his chest again. It was horrid. "I thought I did good in the morning, but you left the brace on me." He was wary of offending Erik in any way, but he had always found lying hard.

Erik gently pulled him closer. "You did quite well for a beginner, but it had nothing to do with the brace. It was punishment for biting me yesterday."

"You beat me yesterday," Reuben said flatly. He kept worrying he was revealing too much.

"Doesn't matter."

Reuben went quiet, never breaking eye contact. It was strange how quickly he was adjusting to being so openly naked around other people.

Erik flashed him a smile. "It will be different now."

John emerged like a ghost from the shadow of a large wardrobe and gave a curt nod before opening the double doors for them. "Master."

"Why will it be different?" Reuben sighed, avoiding the servant's gaze.

"Because your punishment is now over." Erik led him through the long room. The feeder was still in place, just as he expected.

All Reuben wanted was to taste expensive delicacies again and stop the twitching in his stomach. As if in response to his thoughts, Erik called out for John to give them both their food. It was like living through yesterday all over again, only this time things went much smoother.

He had to wait through Erik's entrée, but then got his long-awaited gravy, potatoes and pork. And it was heaven. He didn't care that he had to eat straight from a bowl. He'd eat it with his fucking feet if he had to. Who gave a shit anyway, when the food was this delicious? Not him.

"You like it, Copper?" Erik looked at him with a small smile. He was a slow eater, meticulously cutting off each small bite of his roast.

"It's the best thing I have ever had, Master." His mouth was overflowing, but he tried to fill the words with all the emotion he felt. He wanted Erik to know that he appreciated the reward for being good.

"I'm glad." Erik watched Reuben as if he were an interesting spectacle. "You will be given plenty of meat to build more muscle."

"I will?" He devoured yet another piece of pork before glancing at his master. He wanted him bigger? Wouldn't Reuben be more of a threat then?

"Yes, this means your gravy will have to be limited, but you will get some."

"Less gravy? Why?" Reuben wasn't all that worried, since Erik said he would get 'some'. And he already realized that although Erik was a cruel man, he also was a man of his word.

"It's too fatty. You would grow, but not the way I want you to." Erik broke a piece of bread with his long fingers. It almost looked like a caress.

"God, it's good." Reuben started licking the bowl clean. "You don't want me fat? There'd be more of me." He wiggled his eyebrows. There was still fear in him after yesterday, but he just couldn't pass an opportunity to crack a joke. Laughter had always been a way for him to push through the bad times in life.

"I could grab you by the handles." Erik giggled beneath his breath, gesturing for John to take Reuben's bowl away.

You could grab my ass,
passed through Reuben's head, but he didn't say it out loud.

"Have room for pudding?" Erik pushed his plate away. John took it and once again went off to talk with the kitchen.

Reuben eyed his master, not sure if he didn't mean another blow job. "Depends what you have in mind."

"Ice cream."

"Yes. I want it." He joined Erik at the table without thinking twice.

"What, want me to feed you, Copper?" Erik's fingers tickled the underside of his chin. There was another suggestion behind that touch and Reuben wasn't yet sure how to respond to it.

"I… uhm…" The truth was, he didn't really care anymore. He just wanted his pudding. "Whatever you want, as long as I get ice cream."

"John, I want one big cup!" Erik called out, urging Reuben down to his knees. "Excellent idea, Copper."

He didn't hesitate for long before dropping to the floor at his master's feet. He looked up at the lips that had sucked him off earlier today, and he grinned at the memory.

"What are you so happy about?" Erik patted his head.

"I love to eat good things. I'm happy I don't have that strap in my mouth. I'm happy it's warm."

"Yes, the house is kept very warm for your comfort." Erik caressed his ear and Reuben leaned into his hand with a soft groan.

"I also got a bath today and the water was warm."

"I must give you one myself some time." Erik looked back at John, who placed a large bowl in front of him. Even from his position, Reuben could see the large pile of white, adorned with plenty of red fruit cascading down the creamy curve.

"Wouldn't you be my servant then?" He gently pushed at Erik's hand with his nose. His attentions brought a smile to Erik's lips.

"It would be for my pleasure, which means you would be still serving me." He picked up an elegant, silver spoon and delved into the ice cream.

"Would you wash my hair, too?" Reuben's eyes followed the spoon and his mouth watered.

"I wouldn't want to miss any opportunity to feel your mane." Erik lowered the spoon in a swirling motion, as if he were feeding a small child.

Reuben leaned up, capturing his prize. It was sweeter than any pastry or cake he had ever had. He let himself savor the taste with his eyes closed, so he could focus on the explosion of taste in his mouth. If there was a God, this had to be his meal of choice.

"Isn't it?" asked Erik's in an enthusiastic voice, as if Reuben just told him it was delicious.

Before Reuben could answer, the door opened with a thud and he instinctively cowered by Erik's legs before peeking from behind the tablecloth to see who dared to barge in uninvited.

The intruder was tall, wide-shouldered and kept his sandy hair gathered into a ponytail. His face was like a mask carved in stone, with a big nose and strong jawline. He didn't lose time and hurried across the room. "The fuckers were bothering another transport. I need the new permits tomorrow morning!"

Erik groaned, straightening in the chair. He patted Reuben's arm. "Copper, move to your feeder. Now."

He gave his master one more look but didn't hesitate to do as told.

The visitor walked up to Erik, who looked small in comparison when the man leaned over him and banged one of his massive hands on the table. There was dirt on his brown jacket, but his clothes didn't look cheap. "I need you attentive now. I'm sick of this filthy shit! You can do what you want, but only as long as you do your magic when I need you to!"

Reuben wondered where Hans was in a situation like this. If it were him in Erik's place, he would be scared shitless by now, but his master was calm. In fact, he was still eating his ice cream, sucking the dessert off the spoon, his face as peaceful as ever. "I'm dining."

"You're not 'dining'. You're up to some fucked up perversions with the slave." The visitor spat at the floor. "But do I care? No. I need to know how the paperwork is going. This Gregorovich bastard is giving me shit about the transports. It's still all good, but he's investigating. I need everything to be perfect!"

"My work is perfect." Unbothered by the other man's outrage, Erik swallowed another spoonful of ice cream.

The intruder let out a long huff and eyed Reuben in a way that made him cringe. "Keep it that way," he said in the end, taking a step toward the feeder. "This Paddy new?"

Erik smiled at his pet. "His name is Copper."

"I'm not Irish..." Reuben wasn't sure how to behave.

"Oh, aren't you?" Erik stretched in his chair. "You never told me."

The visitor sneered and suddenly shoved the ice cream bowl across the table, sending it straight to the floor. "You better watch those hands of yours, brother. If they weren't useful, you would not be up to this shit!" His lips stretched into a vicious smirk. "Until then, have all the fun you want." He leaned in and slapped Reuben's sore bottom so hard he screamed out. He didn't even see that coming!

Erik furrowed his eyebrows, though he remained in place, calm and motionless. "Don't touch my horse, Frey."

Frey only waved a hand at him, dismissing the words and making his way back to the door. Erik cast a disapproving look at the spilled ice cream. It was melting over the crushed porcelain and soaking into the carpet.

"You will have to let yourself out without my footman!" he yelled after Frey. John, who had followed their guest toward the door, stopped in his tracks, searching his master's face for instruction.

Erik shook his head. "Go get a maid."

Frey stormed out, muttering something beneath his breath, and Reuben turned to his master, still sore and upset. The slap only reminded him of the welts on his back.

Erik exhaled and spread his arms in invitation. His face was the picture of care and compassion.

"Why does everyone have to assume I'm Irish?" was all Reuben said, backing away toward the tree-carved wall.

"Your looks, Copper." Erik stood up and approached him slowly, as if he were dealing with a timid animal.

"Not everything is always what it looks like." Reuben was too stressed to move. Frey had spoken freely about forging documents and didn't care whether Reuben overheard. As if he really considered him a dumb pet.

"So it seems. Looks like we will be both teaching each other something." Erik pulled him into his arms.

Reuben sighed and gave in to the hug. It felt soothing after having his backside slapped as if it was a piece of meat. "Your brother isn't very fond of you."