Free At His Throat, a Promise by Lilith Grey

guests.
    “Stand, you two,” William said, and Harte jumped up, Ellis following with more reservation.
    “Welcome, Master Alex,” Harte said eagerly, but everyone could tell it was just a formality before Harte jumped at Alastair, a stocky, muscular slave with red hair and light blue eyes. He easily caught Harte and laughed, lifting him off his feet before setting him down.
    “Ellis, this is Alex. He"s a very good friend of mine. Alex, this is our slave Ellis. He"s with us until we find him a good master.” Ellis noticed that Alastair"s eyes narrowed at this, but Master Alex just gave a warm smile and touched Ellis"s chin, tracing his skin. “Beautiful,” he said again. He was tall and thick, like a larger version of his slave, with sandy blond hair and dark, warm eyes.
    “And this is Alastair. Alastair, Ellis.” The other slave nodded shortly with none of the enthusiasm with which he"d greeted Harte. Ellis nodded in return, already understanding that Alastair didn"t like him. This was the attitude he was more familiar with between slaves.
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    AT HIS THROAT, A PROMISE

    “Have you watched them together yet?” Master Alex asked as they made their way to the parlour.
    Ellis had only seen this room in passing. It was slightly more formal than the sitting room, with a huge fireplace and white fur rugs that looked enticingly warm.
    “Not yet, but I look forward to it.”
    Ellis felt something touch his hand, and he started when he saw Alastair and Harte were already kneeling. He hastily fell to his knees, keeping his eyes down and hoping William hadn"t noticed his dalliance.
    The rug felt soft beneath his knees, and he longed to sink his hands into it, but he didn"t. The masters were sitting on a couch and talking quietly. He could feel Harte practically vibrating with tension beside him. Though Harte was a good slave—that was to say, he genuinely enjoyed his position—he hadn"t been very well trained, Ellis thought.
    “Harte, wouldn"t you like to give Alastair a proper greeting?” Master Alex asked softly.
    Harte turned and brought the larger slave"s face down for a deep kiss. Ellis frowned—Sir hadn"t said anything! Harte was obeying the directive of a master not his own when William was in the room.
    But a hidden glance to William showed that he heartily approved of the proceedings; he caught Ellis"s gaze and nodded.
    Ellis thought he understood. It was okay to obey Master Alex right now.
    “Ellis, take off your tunic,” William said, his voice already going low.
    Ellis quickly disrobed and settled back into position. He could feel the masters" eyes on him, but it didn"t embarrass him as he 63

    AT HIS THROAT, A PROMISE

    thought it should have. In fact, it made him feel good. Like he was being enjoyed.
    The sounds Harte was making reminded him of their times together, and Ellis felt heat pool in his abdomen. He might get to fuck Harte right now. And Alastair might fuck him—though he wasn"t much looking forward to that.
    “Undress him, Harte.”
    Harte did one better—he took both their sheaths off, running his hands over Alastair"s muscular form.
    “I was thinking Alastair would have Ellis, and Ellis would take Harte,” William said.
    “That sounds perfect,” said Master Alex in a thick voice. “Did you hear that, you three?”
    All three acknowledged that they had. Ellis was waiting on another directive, but then Harte pulled away from Alastair and whispered to him, “They won"t guide us through the whole thing.
    It"s up to us. We have our instructions. Come here.” Ellis moved forward on his knees, stiffening when Harte placed a soft kiss against his lips. Though he remembered what the master had said about the new rules, Ellis threw a panicked look to William, who gave a soft smile and nodded. Ellis sighed, relieved.
    Harte kissed him again, and it was strangely different than William. William"s kisses were forceful and experienced, and he was obviously used to guiding. Harte"s kisses were