Free Rise: A Gay Fairy Tale by Keira Andrews, Leta Blake

froze, uncertain and on guard, his breath lodged as he waited for that large hand to encircle his throat. Yet Rion’s aim was higher, and he slid his fingers into Jack’s hair, caressing the strands with an expression of wonder.
    Shaking, Jack found his release, spurting thick ropes of it over Rion’s hand as he cried out sharply. He leaned his head into Rion’s touch as Rion milked him with his other hand, drawing out the tremors of ecstasy. Jack closed his eyes. It had been so many long years since he’d found pleasure in the warmth of another’s touch.
    He’d loved Adair long before he’d hated him. Now here he was, made vulnerable before this supposed villain, but for reasons he couldn’t name, he felt… safe . He wondered what it would be like to meet Rion’s mouth, to taste his tongue and breathe him in. To get lost in his kiss.
    He heard a lapping sound, and opened his eyes to find Rion tentatively licking at Jack’s seed where it had spilled over his fingers. The sight sent a tremor of lust through Jack, and he moaned softly. Rion met his gaze, his other hand still caressing Jack’s hair.
    They stared at one another for a few heartbeats.
    Then Rion dropped his hands, and they wriggled back away from each other, eyes downcast. Jack quickly got up and pulled on his tunic and refastened his breeches while Rion wiped his hand on the mattress and freed the bonds around his ankles and straightened his own clothing. Grimacing, Rion stood, stretching gingerly.
    Jack cleared his throat. “What do we do now?” Would this truce hold? Or was Rion simply waiting to soothe his stiff muscles before he attacked?
    “I suppose we eat.” He strode from the room, and Jack quickly followed, careful not to get between Rion and any doors that locked.
    Jack waited at a worn wooden table by the cold hearth as Rion disappeared into the larder, returning with an armful of cured meat, cheese and fruit. He sliced the remaining bread and placed the food on the table before handing Jack an empty plate. As he fetched his own plate, Jack hesitantly took some cheese and an apple.
    Rion pulled out the chair across from him and wasted no time in tearing into the meal. He raised an eyebrow. “Not hungry?”
    Jack fiddled with his apple and shrugged.
    After barking out a laugh, Rion reached for it and took a large bite. “Not poisoned, I assure you.”
    Stomach rumbling, Jack decided he had little to lose and filled his plate. They ate quietly for a few minutes, and Rion poured Jack a tankard of ale after taking a showy first sip himself. Jack had to chuckle, and the ale went down quite smoothly. For the first time since he’d begun his climb up the beanstalk, he allowed himself to relax just a bit.
    If they were to have a truce, they might as well speak. He cleared his throat. “This land across the sea, it must be nearby. Closer than I imagined.”
    Rion frowned. “Why do you say that?”
    “Where else would you get the food?” Jack took another bite of the crisp, juicy apple. “It’s fresh, and I haven’t come across a garden up here.”
    Rion’s frown deepened. “I bake the bread, but the larder is full of food, as it always has been. There’s never been a shortage. Is it not this way where you come from?”
    “No. An apple would rot within a week or two if not stored properly or eaten. There is no endless supply of food. Many struggle to feed themselves.”
    After seeming to ponder it, Rion asked, “Is this why you mentioned starving children?”
    “Yes. Many in the kingdom suffer when the harvest is bad.”
    “I had no notion such a thing was possible. For children to go hungry. It must be the rampant sickness and disease that affects your food. There’s no other explanation.”
    Jack shook his head. “It must be some kind of magic that keeps endless food here, Rion. For my people are no different from you, and have no great sickness. You have many books. Have you ever read of food lasting as long as it does