The entertainment room had been all set up and Nevis had been helping Kari practice pouring when Ryedir, Trois, and a large, round bellied man Kari didn’t know came in. Nevis left with Trois and the other two sat at a small round table.
Kari stepped forward and set to carefully pouring both men a glass of the expensive alcohol before folding himself up at Ryedir’s lap. It made Kari become conscious of what it means as he recalled his talk with Nevis earlier but he pushed it away from his thoughts. This was far better than sitting on the floor anyway.
The omega huffed and had to fight a scowl from his face when Ryedir ran his fingers through his hair as though he was petting a favored animal.
The talk was all business and bored Kari to no end as he idly listened in. They seemed to be bartering over a shipment of silks in exchange for a mix of
Karigroaned as he missed Jaid’s lunge and was knocked to his ass. It was like training with Ryedir all over again except that this alpha would politely avert his gaze from him while the omega righted himself. So at least he didn’t have to deal with leering golden eyes while he picked himself up off the ground.It didn’t lessen the knock to his ego every time he hit the groundthough.Ryedir had given Karipermission to seek out training with the quarterstaff from Jaidand it had taken a week to convince the hulking alpha to agree. He wasn’t entirely sure if it was his perseverance finally winning the man over or if Ryedir said something but Jaideventually agreed and even had a custom-made quarterstaff commissioned to Kari’s size.And much like Ryedir, every time he crowed in delight over having ‘mastered’ something, Jaidquickly knock
Ryedircarried his dead-to-the-world omega into the main entertaining room and carefully laid him on the cushioned bay window. The lacy curtains kept out the harsh light of the sun and he leaned over to open the window so the omega could take advantage of the cool breeze. He had only given the omega a cursory wash down before stuffing him full of his favourite fruits. The omega promptly passed out in boneless exhaustion and would most likely sleep for some time. He smelt of sweat and sex and Ryedir. Karismelt and looked thoroughly used and Ryedircouldn’t help the fierce grin of satisfaction. He hadn’t wanted to do that so soon. He had wanted to wait until Karicame to him and was rewarded with the satisfaction of the omega willinglyasking for it from his own free will. But having Karitrust him enough to agree was still a win. As much as he pref
Big blue eyes blinked sleepily at them and it seemed to take a moment for him to register that there was another person in the room. He reeled back and looked to Ryedirin alarm. He beckoned his little mate forward. No doubt suddenly being in the presence of an unknown alpha was alarming. Karislid off the window seat and padded across the room to sink carefully onto his lap. He settled quickly and wrapped an arm around Ryedir’s neck, pressing his body close and resting his cheek on his chest. Oh, how Ryedirenjoyed that. It just screamed possessiveness. “My, my. He really is a pretty one.” Hanzengave a delighted laugh. “And what an expression! I can see now why Orangave him to you untrained. What a pleasure it must be to discipline his unruliness.” Ryedirreached out to stroke a hand through Kari’s hair in a soothing gesture.Ryedirfelt a thrill of sa
Karisighed as he dragged his feet towards Ryedir’s private quarters. He had spent the afternoon helping Nevisrun errands in the market square and was tired after all the activity. Not to mention that his head still reeled over what had happened that morning. Yhieris, what had possessed him to agree to let the alpha touch him so intimately? Instincts most likely and he had let himself be carried away by the situation. Had it been anyone else, he would have been mated and bonded by now, Kariwas sure. Ryedirmust have legendary self-control. He had seen other alphas lose their mind over just the scent of an omega, let alone touching them so intimately. Ryedirhad sent him over the edge of pleasure multiple times and at the end came again virtually untouched. Which showed just how much Kariaffected him and yet he didn’t act on it. Sure, the man too
Ryedirheard Kari’s scream and was up and sprinting to the bedroom before he consciously registered what he was doing. He was stopped in his tracks by the sight that greeted him. An unknown man lay dead on the ground, surrounded by a pool of blood and with a large, bloody shard of ice protruding from his back. Kariknelt a short distance away, arms wrapped around his torso and mouth open in an unending scream. He immediately noticed the familiar faraway look in the omega’s eyes and started to croon as he slowly walked forward. He had only gone a few steps into the room when massive shards of ice shot out from around Kari. They had a different quality to them from the ones Ryedirhad seen before and it set alarm bells ringing in his head. The omega hadn’t been triggered in their sparring sessions for some time now so it could only be the blo
Ryedirdidn’t miss the suggestion that he would die if he ever lost his powers. It was not something to bear thinking about, but it was the reality of the situation. While Karimight not want to say his choice yet, Ryedirknew he needed the omega to come to him because if he broke the young man’s will then he would lose him irrevocably. Their power was connected to their beliefs and their own wills, of that he was certain. Force him into something and the doubt would eat away his power as had happened to the two previously captured Daiyans. Silence reigned while those words sank in. It was Jaidwho finally broke it. “That may be, but that’s not common knowledge here. Who would know about such things and have been in contact with him? Few notice a slave, even out in the city.” “Knowledge about Daiyansis more prevalent within the army as they are something that has been fought against in the past.”
The younger man stiffened in his arms and Ryedirknew he had hit the truth. He remembered how he had seemed to be torn between clutching at himself or tearing at his own skin while he trembled on the floor. How his ice seemed different compared to what he had seen before, almost as though he was trying to forceitout of himself. It had seemed sharper somehow, more dangerous, and lacking the usual soft beauty that Kariseemed to unconsciously imbue into the ice. Dumping the omega on the bed, Ryedircrawled on top of his prone form and pinned him in place. Karikept his face averted to the side but Ryedirgrabbed his chin to force him to meet his eyes. “Look at me.” Blue eyes looked up at him in a swirl of stubbornness, confusion, and guilt. “Never again.” “But-” “Never. Again. What you did is nothing to feel shame over.
Kariglared at the commanding tone but Ryedir drew up to his full height while his voice dropped. His voice was soft and deep but no less authoritative. “We will be outside of the safety of my domain and it’s exceedingly important that you follow my rules while we are away. Remember that everyone who sees this collar,” he stood close enough to reach up a hand to trace his fingers along the soft leather at his throat, “will know you are my pleasure slave and will treat you as such. Which means that they will mostly ignore you or they might look but not touch. Other servants and slaves at the palace may approach you and will most likely treat you with indifference or even malice. I need you to not react and carry on with whatever task you were doing. As you do here, you will stay with me and serve me. Once in the capital, you willhave tosit at my feet when not serving and you will not interact with anyone. You are to be a pretty p
Aderynsighed as she made her way through the thick forest. It was lush and green at this time of the year, a beautiful, warming sight. But her favorite was still the icy beauty of winter. The glittering snow would coat the trees in a breathtaking white and the world would wait the coming of spring with a gentle stillness. The lush warmth that surrounded her had been comforting as a child but now she viewed the world a little differently. She was biased, but a mother always was. Aderynheld back tears as she approached the lake. Previously she had only come here in winter when the teeming forest life lay sleeping and the surface was covered in a layer of ice. It was Kari’s favourite place to be and he would always lose track of time. So, she would come out and just watch with pride as her son skated across the ice or built giant fortresses for him and the other childr
Karilay dozing on a puffy clean towel that lay over the destroyed sheets of the large bed. Ryedirhad cleaned them both off once the last vestiges of heat had finally gone from the omega’s mind. They had been able to eat and drink a little in between the clutches of heat but it hadn’t been enough to sustain them properly so Ryedirhad gone in search of food. Having completely lost all sense of time and with his body aching madly, Kariwas happy to lazily wait for his mate to return. His doze was interrupted by the return of his alpha carrying a large plate of something that smelt absolutely delectable. Raising his arms like a child, the omega made grabbing motions in the general direction of his alpha, too worn out to be bothered about being independent right then. He could gripe about following his own mind and not his instincts tomorrow when he had eaten and slept. &nbs
Karislept for the better part of two days, only waking when Ryedircame and hand fed him light foods. He had used far more of his power than he initially realized. It had been far from running out but the fight went on for a surprising amount of time. Minor cuts and scrapes that marked his unprotected skin had been carefully treated by Ryedirbut had now mostly healed. He drifted in the comfortable space between sleeping and wakefulness when he noticed something disturbing his blankets. A familiar scent washed over him andheblinked his eyes open owlishly. “Rye?” “How are you feeling?” Ryedirasked softly as he pulled more of the blankets away from Kari’s frame. The omega didn’t reply, his brain was oddly sluggish and he struggled to process exactly what was being asked of him. “You’re nesting,” the a
Ryedirstill slowly stalked forward, power and anger radiating from his being. No one else moved. The silence only broken by the dull thud of Ryedir’s boots hitting the stone floor with each measured step.The commanding aura that surrounded him blanketed the room and smothered all sound. It was like everyone held their breath as they waited for his actions.He looked truly magnificent in that moment and Karifelt a surge of pride that such an alpha had chosen him. His raw power was so apparent and yet he had chosen Kariand let him pick in return. Used his willpower to hold back, to show Karihis real self with nothing in the way.Ryedirhadn’t done it particularly well, of course. Karineeded far more explanation than the stubborn man had given him, but he could see the truth in his actions now. It was never more obvious than in the way he had tried to protect Kar
Screams of pain echoed off the walls to be matched by yells of panic. The soldiers surrounding Hanzenleapt forward at his command to be met by the few loyal guards that had remained inside the throne room.The nobles at the edges of the room shrank back even more, not a single one stepping forward to defend their king or new queen. It was odd to him that they watched such a conflict yet did not step forward to help in any way, but he had no time to ponder the reasons.Armored bodies surged together in the center of the room and Karihad difficulty making out who was friend or foe from this distance. A small knife whizzed past his ear and lodged itself firmly in an enemy’s throat with a meaty thunk. Millicentstepped past him armed with a dozen more knives twirling around her hands as she let them loose with deadly accuracy. Ryedirstepped around Karias well, drawing the sword at his hip and leap
It was the day of the coronation. The wedding had taken place the day before and the newlywed omega bore her bonding mark proudly for the world to see. She wore another stunning gown for her coronation as queen and the entire court sat in attendance. The royal family still seemed a little on edge, but less so than yesterday. The throne room was done up in beautiful red and gold draped fabric, the royal colorsapparently, and Ryedirwas back in his military style outfit while Kariwas adorned in yet another fanciful tunic-breech outfit. He could feel the tenseness of his alpha.The entire line of succession was in one place and he was wary of something happening. Jaidhad been organizingextra guards who were outside of the capital’s influence, but the omega could see just how concerned both alphas were. Ryedirhad muttered something about it being too easy with no a
The wedding was a truly beautiful affair. Karihad never seen such an elaborate celebration before but then, this was for a king of a powerful nation. People were dressed in their best, everyone glittering in shimmering fabrics and adorned with precious metals and stones. Even the servants and slaves were done up. Karihimself had a new tunic that was intricately patterned with swirls of blue, and small sparking silver chains that had tiny sparkling jewels hanging off them. His breech was made from beautiful shimmering blue fabric and he veritably dripped in silver chains adorned with more sparkling jewelswhile his knee-length boots shined with silver swirls on each side. Millicenthad painted black around his eyes again and when he glimpsed himself in a mirror, he looked almost otherworldly. His skin was as pale as snow, almost unearthly, and his eyes, hai
“It was a stupid move, but it was nothing to start a war over. It’s been two years.Jueanshould call an end to it. It’s nothing but a waste of resources at this point. No, even right from the beginning.”“We are all well aware of your stance on the war, Rye. But it was father’s last wish and decree as king. Jueancan’t very well call it to an end without seeing it through.”“Seeing it through how?” Ryedirwas starting to snarl at this point.Karihad never seen him so animated in conversation before. “We have taken enough land now that we could claim it as a fifth NiamreanVesnice and have that as reparation. Then send you across to set up and run the area. You are more than capable of managing such an undertaking, including the construction of additional infrastructure to link it to the capital.”&ld
“Well, you certainly are thorough, aren’t you, Rye?” The man in question growled at Millicentas she waltzed through the door without knocking. Kariflushed. He knew exactly what she referred to. Ryedirhad been overzealous in scent marking him last night and removing all traces of the perfume that lingered on him. He had certainly put Karithrough his paces. He practically came dry at the end just from the man’s fingers and had been too exhausted to react to the cum that splattered on his face to then be rubbed into his neck. It was embarrassing to think about now but there had been something thrilling about seeing such a wild-eyed look on the normally restrained alpha. He had honestly thought the man might finally lose to instincts and go back on his word to only claim Karionce he agreed. But by some great feat of will, Kariremains unbonded and unmated, just very tho