Wild Iris

Wild Iris by Katica Locke

 * Genre: Erotic fantasy western
 * Length: 3,500 words (short story)
 * Rating: Mature
 * Warning: M/M sexual content
 * Link: http://www.fictionpress.com/s/2740189/1/Wild_Iris

Summary
After failing to pay his taxes, Bryan is sold as a slave to cover the bill.

Intro
In the noisy, crowded magistrate's office, Bryan stood as though in the eye of a hurricane; in silence, untouched, watching as his world was ripped apart around him. The clerk slipped the bill of sale back into its brown folder and laid it upon the desk.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Sobe, but it's too late--"

"No," Bryan said, stepping forward and planting his hands on the worn desktop, looming over the young man and his neat stack of paperwork. "Just give me a little more time--I can get the money."

"Mr. Sobe, you haven't paid your taxes in six months," the clerk informed him needlessly. "With fines, fees, and penalties, you owe more than your land is worth. There is nothing I can do."

Bryan slammed his fist against the desk, making the clerk jump and a pair of uniformed officers rise from their seats at a table near the back of the room. Before he did something stupid, he turned away, running a hand back through his shaggy brown hair as he drew a slow breath through his teeth.

"So I'm just supposed to walk away?" he asked, fighting to keep his tone civil. "That land has been in my family for generations--My great-grandfather was born in that house! And what am I supposed to do with my cattle?"

"Mr. Sobe, I don't think you understand. Your land is not worth enough to cover your debt. The government has seized and sold all of your assets. That includes your cattle...and you, Mr. Sobe."

"I am not a government slave!" Bryan snarled through his teeth, glancing over at the officers as they approached.

"Technically, you're a privately owned slave now," the clerk said, rising from his chair. "I'm sorry, Mr. Sobe." If he apologized one more time, Bryan was going to kill him. "Please don't make this harder than it has to be." Bryan turned to face the officers, started to raise his fists, and then lowered them again. The room was filled with uniforms. He turned back to the clerk.

"Who bought me?" he demanded. "Who bought my land?"

"I'm not legally allowed to say," the clerk said, "but it shouldn't be too hard to guess."

Bryan clenched his teeth.

"That f***ing faerie."