Trying not to wet the bandage on his hand, Klaus lowered himself into the hot water and let out a sigh of relief. All his muscles ached, the scratches and scars from the whip stung, but he cared little. After sitting in silence for a few minutes with his eyes closed, the prince heard the door of the private bathhouse open. Augustus stood on the threshold.
"I came to help you," his brother smiled. "You shouldn't strain your hand."
Klaus silently watched as the captain took off his clothes and plunged into the water. He approached Klaus and began to undo his braid.
"Turn around," the captain asked, generously pouring soap on his hands, and Klaus silently peeled himself away from the wall of the pool and turned his back to his brother.
When the men stood, the water barely covered their buttocks. August gently massaged his scalp, distributing soap through his hair, and Klaus closed his eyes, enjoying the sensations. Slowly, the captain moved down to his shoulders, his back.
The man turned Klaus to face him and began to soap the prince's chest.
"You know," he said, "I thought I would never see you again."
"But I am in front of you."
"Yes," August smiled and extended his soapy hand to his brother's cheek, then took a step forward and almost came very close to Klaus.
They stood so close that their noses almost touched, but Klaus did not move. August also froze, and only examined the new scars on the prince's face.
"August…"
"Shut up, Klaus," he put his finger to his brother's lips and he fell silent. "I almost killed your... Egor," Klaus frowned, but remained silent. "I wanted to strangle Gorald. I dreamed of torturing Abel until he begged for death. I was ready to leave everyone in this underground city to go after you."
August raised his hand and placed it on the prince's healthy shoulder, and then pulled back a little and looked into his eyes.
"Klaus, I want it so much," he shook his head "I want you to always be near."
"August, I am near."
August looked Klaus in the eyes again and brought his face slightly closer, but stopped, as if waiting for permission. Klaus ran his gaze over the captain's face. He knew what August wanted. He saw the desire in his burning eyes. He guessed that it was important to his brother and that it was necessary right now, so he himself closed the remaining distance and pressed himself to his parted lips.
There was no need to do more. August responded to the kiss greedily. His hands wandered over the prince's body, and his horny cock rested against his thigh. He tried not to touch his injured shoulder, and when Klaus tried to hold the captain with his hand, he stopped him.
"Relax and don't tense your hand, I'll do everything myself."
When the young men broke away from each other to catch their breath, Klaus dove headfirst to wash off the foam, forgetting about the bandage, which he did not intend to wet. When he emerged, August pounced on him with renewed vigor.
From the captain's pressure, Klaus backed away and rested against the wall of the pool, August's hand grabbed the prince's enlarged penis and began to move it, the other lay on his chest. Without thinking twice, the prince also lowered his healthy hand under the water and felt what was already ready to make a hole in his thigh.
Feeling how someone else's fingers closed on his cock, August broke the kiss for a second, drew in ragged breaths and exhaled the prince's name with a groan.
The clouded gaze, tense abdominal muscles and quiet moans excited Klaus. He was surprised by his reaction, continuing to caress the captain and getting even more excited from his response to caresses.
They finished almost at the same time, and Augustus helplessly fell on Klaus, letting out a weak laugh into his neck.
"I have never received so much pleasure from any girl as from your hand," he said, moving away from the prince and diving into the pool with his head.
"This will sound strange, but I have never received such satisfaction," Klaus said quietly, but Augustus did not hear him.
Both were in high spirits when they returned to the wing where their bedrooms were located.
"Maybe you'd like to come see me before bed?" August smiled playfully, and Klaus let out an uncharacteristic laugh.
"Are you sure you're ready for what might happen?"
"You come in and check," the captain answered, poking his finger at his brother's cheek, winked and disappeared into his room.
Egor watched this scene from around the corner, and his mood worsened with every second. He tried to pull himself together and went out to meet Klaus, smiling tensely.
"How's your arm?"
"The bandage is in the way, but otherwise everything is fine."
"Let's go, I'll treat your wounds."
"There's no need to stress out over a couple of scratches. They'll heal on their own," Klaus waved it off while Egor nudged him in the back.
Lilith wasn't in the room. Under Egor's searching gaze, Klaus finally gave in, pulled off his shirt and sat on the bed, waiting for his friend to carefully treat his wounds.
"You and the captain are in such a great mood. Did something happen?" Egor casually started the interesting conversation.
"Nothing special," Klaus answered, hesitating a little, "the bath just works wonders!"
Klaus was lying to him. For the first time since their meeting. He was clearly not finishing the sentence, and this inflamed Egor even more. He had just opened his mouth to say that he had heard everything and guessed why August had called him in the evening, when Klaus spoke.
"Listen. I've been thinking for a long time and I've come to the conclusion that you need to go back."
Egor stopped, not having secured the bandage on his hand all the way, and looked at the prince in shock. What he feared most had happened. Klaus had rejected him once and for all.
"Is it because of August?" he answered hoarsely.
"What does he have to do with it?" the prince was surprised.
"He is the cause of many events. You know that his feelings for you go beyond brotherly love, and he doesn't want me to get in his way."
"August has nothing to do with it. This is my decision and it was not easy for me. It is dangerous for you to stay near me, especially when we start acting."
"Don't tell me that you are worried about me!" Egor shouted. "I can take care of myself, and if you really want to send me home just for safety, then I refuse!"
"Egor, since when did you become so stubborn? Understand, the number of my enemies will increase and everyone who is close to me may suffer. I don't want to see someone die."
"Then why don't you push Augustus away? Or Lilith? Why am I the only one who is a hindrance to you?"
"You are not a hindrance," the prince sighed tiredly. "You are my weakness for my enemies. I also plan to hand over Lilith to Lissa's care. They get along well. And August, well, this is Augustus," the prince smiled. "Even if I want to, I won't be able to stop him from supporting me. He is capable of taking care of himself. He grew up here and knows what to expect."
"I know too and am ready to take the risk!"
"But I am not ready to take the risk! Egor. Everything has already been decided. In a couple of days, I will take you to the portal and send you home."
"Then I'll run away and wander this world alone, but I won't come home!"
"Stop talking nonsense!" Klaus abruptly got up from the bed and loomed over his friend. "If I said so, then you must obey silently" he hissed almost through his teeth and grabbed Egor by the wrist, revealing the brand, "Or have you forgotten that you voluntarily agreed to it?"
Egor opened and closed his mouth. He was filled with indignation, but what could he say? Say that he thought it was all fiction? That he would never have thought that Klaus would use the brand for its intended purpose?
"Klaus," he squeezed out of himself, lowering his eyes, "please, don't send me back. I won't be able to live there like before."
Klaus calmed down a little. Something squeezed unpleasantly in his chest, he let go of his wrist and tiredly sat back on the bed.
"Look, if you still want to come back here, to be near, I'll come as soon as everything is over. I promise."
"And if something happens to you? I'll wait, and you won't come? How will I be able to find out anything while I'm there? Klaus..."
"We're leaving today. Immediately. We've closed the conversation. Go and pack your things."
And the prince left the room, leaving Egor with his thoughts. He was afraid that if he stayed with this boy for even a minute longer, he would give in and let him stay. Klaus didn't understand what this oppressive feeling was that had been bothering him since the moment he decided to send Egor to a safe place, but he definitely didn't like it, and he wanted to get rid of it.
"Hello."
"Is it already evening?" August was surprised, seeing Klaus in the doorway of his room.
"I didn't mean that," Klaus grimaced, remembering what had happened in the bathhouse and the promise that followed.
"What happened?" the captain asked seriously, seeing his brother's downcast expression, which was already unusual.
"I decided to send Egor back and I'm heading to the portal immediately."
"I see," internal jubilation was slightly reflected on the captain's face. He had been waiting for this for so long that he couldn't hide his joy. "But they can see him off. Say, send Gorald with him."
"No, I have to do it myself."
"But we have plans, high-born ones..."
"August. Do what you can without me. It's a couple of days' journey from here to the portal. I'll be back as soon as I'm sure he's gone."
"Okay, August sighed. After all, he'd waited much longer, which was a couple of extra days for him." But take a couple of souvenirs with you.
"Souvenirs?"
"An amulet for quick messaging. The second unfinished portal. As soon as you send your Egor, add some soil, and he'll transfer you right here."
"Great, that'll come in handy."
"Klaus, be careful," August walked up to his brother, put his hand on his sore shoulder, and looked him in the eyes. "It's dangerous for you to glow, especially without support. Maybe you should take Gorald with you?"
"No, he'll be more needed here."
"So you decided to become a bodyguard for two feeble people again? Klaus, you are a future king, not a nanny!"
"Two?" Klaus was surprised.
"Have you forgotten about the second thorn in your ass?" August was surprised.
"Lilith," the prince groaned, hitting his forehead with his palm. "I completely forgot about her. Although... Yes, I think it would be a great idea! And Egor will have something to do!" the prince brightened up noticeably.
"I don't like your enthusiasm at all," August muttered, leaving the room after his brother.