To be a king was never going to be an easy task, though I had never faced such a hard decision. Not until today.
To execute your general, to give the sentence, death without mercy. The thought of having the traditional style of execution done to one of my eldest friends was making me restless. But I needed to do what had to be done.
*****
The punishment was to be held today. The sooner the better, I didn't want more guilt swaying my conscience. Titus committed his betrayal, he was to be sentenced. It was as simple as that, though I wish the execution would be too.
It was high time, the sky was at its reddest, clear as hell. The weather was hot and dry. Everyone had gathered at the court. Titus was ready, his wrists had been bound between two poles at the center of the court, where everyone could see. He was standing in just his bottom cloth, stripped of the royal color. He was put in black, as black as his wings.
His fellow generals and warriors were present, even Magnus had decided to stay for another day to watch and participate in the execution. He was giving his last tribute to his mentor, Magnus believed that what Titus did, he did it for his platonic love for Magnus. Maybe it was self-guilt but the young fallen angel said that he was there to mourn the old Titus.
His lovers Gerold and Savaric were to his sides. They helped Magnus to stay strong, I could see Gerold, the were-witch occasionally whispered in his ear. His hand would slip into Magnus's and then his eyes were glassy for a second before he visibly took a deep breath and shook his head. Savaric too seemed to want to console Magnus when he put his hand on Magnus's back for a couple of seconds, barely visible for anyone to see.
Everyone had loved Titus at one point in their lives, the general's betrayal over something too trivial had shocked us all.
"My fellow generals, my warriors, my friends, and followers. We gathered here today to witness the execution of my dear friend, my beloved general who... along the way had been blinded by his way of thinking that he betrayed me, betrayed our kingdom. In doing so, lives were taken away. We had mourned for them."
I paused to gather my nerves with Basilea to my side. To all who saw us, they'd know that there was something more between me and her. Basilea was more than a harem, and she showed me when she entwined her fingers in mine the second I was about to declare Titus' punishment.
"And now it's time for us to avenge our lost souls. A thousand cuts, by his weapons. Executed by his king, his fellow generals, and lastly his warriors." I took a deep breath, calming myself down, not wanting to sound shaken. But this was Titus, he had fought my battles, alongside me, hundreds of times before. I stepped down from my throne and walked to his front. Beside him lay his swords, daggers, and small knives.
The fallen angel didn't look up, and I prefer it that way. I wouldn't know how to look him in the eyes for what I was about to do to him.
"Titus, you are no longer my general, with the sword I gave you... I punish you with my cuts, may hell give you peace." I chose his sword, the sword with a dark blue grip that I gave him decades ago for being my general. It was a proud day, I still remember it like it was yesterday, a happy day for him, for us, when our bleak future as fallen angels entwined together.
But now...
I shut my mind when I pick up the sword and swing the tip of the blade at his chest. Fast, consecutive thrusts, deeper cuts mixed with shallow cuts each time, until his torso bleed and Titus panted, heavily. My chest heaved and I threw his sword to the ground beneath his feet, showing him my disappointment. Titus still didn't look up. The man was silent except for his grunts and heavy breathing from the pain.
Osirus was next, he said his word and picked up his daggers saying that Titus was the one who taught him to use daggers properly. Cuts after cuts were made, Osirus' chest heaved with emotions but he kept on giving Titus his punishment. Then it was Bharat's time, more words were spoken, more cuts were made, and emotions flowed. His warriors were next, each and every one of them showed emotions and some couldn't hold back their tears as their emotions got the best of them. Titus meant something to them, he was not just their mentor.
Receiving so many cuts and emotions, Titus finally breaks. The once great general slumped to his knees. The guards tightened his wrists, forcing him to stand once again. His tears were visible now and I had to look away for a second before gathering myself back and forcing myself to witness the execution.
As a tradition, we were to inflict pain but not to kill him, not right away. He was to suffer and others were to watch until each and everyone who knew him was done inflicting pain on his body. In the end, the executioner was to slit his throat and Titus would be dragged out of the palace grounds and thrown for demon beasts to feed.
The sky was dark when it was all done. Magnus said his goodbye before he went back with his lovers. Basilea wished him happiness. With all that happened to Titus she did not know what else to say, honestly neither do I.
I was numbed when it all ended. The surroundings were quiet, everyone had dismissed themselves. The kingdom had just witnessed a great loss and it'll take time for us to heal.
Basilea took my hand and Justus was to my other side. She stripped me naked once we arrived at the royal bath. I do need to wash the day away and I let her and Justus tend to my body.
I was tender, she kissed my lips softly while Justus' naked body pressed to my other side. I was not the least aroused, but she knew and kept on kissing me, washing my body until she ushered me out of the bath.
Justus dried both of us and he lay beside me while my little demon told me that she loves me and that I did what needed to be done. She told me that I was a great king and that it was my duty to do so. Her words and Justus' touches gradually made me feel better. They hold me until I finally fall asleep.
It was days later when I woke up to their kisses and felt the need. It was soothing, to the point that I wanted and craved their closeness.
I kissed Basilea back with such vigor that she pulled Justus to join us. The elf moaned and kissed me back when my hand roamed between his legs. Basilea was wrapping her slender leg to mine, rubbing herself and letting her scent known.
The loss had turned to lust when I let her straddle me and my dick thrust inside her and she moved, sensually. Justus kissed my lips while my hand stroked his length. The elf moaned in our kiss and moved his hips wanting to feel more friction.
Then he joined me inside my little demon, and the three of us moaned simultaneously. The need to let go was overwhelming, I needed this, I needed to forget even for a short while. The days had been heavy, and the release was sweet when I burst inside her. Justus followed a couple of thrusts later and Basilea let out the sexiest moan when she climaxed and milked both of us inside her.
We closed our eyes for a little while, feeling sated, and tangled in each other's arms until I decided to get out of bed an hour later, and needed to face the day. With Titus gone the issue was not resolved, we still need to handle the demon behind the kidnapping. I didn't want it left unresolved knowing it'll be a ticking bomb until one day it might happen again.
I was not going to risk her safety, not if I could help it. And I intend to do my best to protect my little demon.