Free Poison by Megan Derr

twisted then, but it turned back into a smile a moment later.
    Gael could not bear it. He knew the thoughts that went through Noire's mind, the doubts—doubts he deserved. It would serve him right if Noire gave up on him and walked away. It would break his heart, and make life unbearable, but it would serve him right.
    He waited until the dance ended, then said, "Walk with me, Voice. Perhaps if I look as though I am engaged in an important conversation with you I will be left alone for a time." He led the way back to the buffet tables and took another glass of wine, looking at Noire, who only shook his head in refusal. "Come, we'll walk this way where it's quieter."
    Reluctantly avoiding the balconies, he slipped outside to the hallway, nodding congenially to the guards. "If my sisters inquire as to my presence, tell them I slipped out to have a word with the Voice."
    "Yes, your highness," the guards replied and bowed.
    Out in the hallway, he led Noire to a small, curtained nook—whisper nooks, some called them, but kissing nooks was by far the more popular term. Closing the curtain, he pulled Noire into his arms and kissed him deeply.
    Noire froze in surprise, then moaned and melted in his arms, wrapping his own around Gael's neck. Gael ran his fingers up and down Noire's back, spanning them across his ass before cupping it and pulling him even closer. Noire smelled like musk and velvet and honey and tasted even better. He fit perfectly in Gael's arms, as though crafted exclusively for them. Gael did not care a whit how much ego was in that thought.
    "You are temptation incarnate, kitten," he murmured as he broke away, nuzzling Noire's cheek, teeth grazing his skin before he bit Noire's ear. "I want to tie you to my bed and keep you there forever, always ready for whatever wicked deed strikes my fancy."
    "Gael—" Noire shuddered and clung tighter, rubbing against him.
    Ignoring the voice in his head railing at him for being reckless and stupid, Gael kissed him again, jerking Noire hard against him and grinding their cocks together. He could not remember the last time they'd been together for more than a stolen moment in a locked room. But he was the reason for that, and so he would have to live with his choices until he could change them.
    Opening the curtain slightly, he checked that the hallway was clear, then slipped out, dragging Noire down the hall and around the corner to a parlor they had used before at other parties. Locking the door behind them, Gael leaned against it and dragged Noire close again.
    Noire's dark skin was beautifully flushed, hot beneath his lips and so deliciously soft. "I could kiss you until the world ends, kitten," he breathed against Noire's skin and then kissed him, one hand buried in Noire's hair, the other wrapped around his waist.
    "Gael, I need—" Noire did not finish the sentence, just kissed him again, too hungry and eager for finesse. It just made Gael's cock throb harder and want all the more desperately exactly what Noire asked for.
    Pushing away from the door and further into the room, Gael spun Noire around and nibbled on his ear as he asked, "How do you want it, kitten?"
    Noire just made a mewling sound and rubbed back against him, reaching back to cling to him, hold his head close. Gael loved it when Noire got so needy, so wanton. It was so drastically different from the quiet, shy mien he showed the rest of the world.
    Smiling against his hair, Gael drew far enough away to lead Noire to the small sofa in one corner of the room. It was too small to use properly, but the back was perfect for bending someone over it.
    Moaning, Noire braced himself with ease and eager familiarity as Gael undid and tugged down Noire's breeches. It was only as he stroked Noire's bare ass, bent to kiss it and sink his teeth into it to leave a mark that would leave a lingering ache, that he realized he had not come prepared to break his own rules.
    "I hope you were smarter than me, kitten."
    Noire gave