Chapter 31 Observations

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 Ryedir in alarm.

He beckoned his little mate forward. No doubt suddenly being in the presence of an unknown alpha was alarming. Kari slid 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 Ryedir enjoyed that. It just screamed possessiveness.

“My, my. He really is a pretty one.” Hanzen gave a delighted laugh. “And what an expression! I can see now why Oran gave him to you untrained. What a pleasure it must be to discipline his unruliness.”

Ryedir reached out to stroke a hand through Kari’s hair in a soothing gesture. Ryedir felt a thrill of satisfaction at seeing the omega scent marked so thoroughly as his. “I much prefer his wilful attitude than the subservient little dolls you prefer to play with. I’m quite enjoying his very honest reactions to myself. Far more satisfying than the thought of it being just a fake act to ingratiate him into my favour.”

“You almost tempt me to try and train one myself. It would be excellent to have a toy to suit my preferences exactly but I’m not a patient man.” He waved the glass to the quiet beta for a refill and sighed in pleasure upon taking another sip.

“I’ll take them willing and wet, I don’t need anything else. If only I could enjoy such pleasure of this drink with my toys. Excellent taste and even better properties. No need to fear ill intent in the form of a convenient poison. But, as I’m but a poor soul who isn’t owed a favour by your esteemed self, let me enjoy one last glass before I partake of Mishal’s marvellous brothels. I had hopes to stay in the city for a few days and join you on your travel to the capital for the wedding but alas, business once again must pull me away from my pleasure early. We are leaving tomorrow, so you don’t have to worry about my troublemaking.”

Nevis dutifully stepped forward and refilled the alpha’s glass once again. Ryedir stroked down Kari’s soft hair and trailed his fingers across the back of his neck, raising a shiver.

“It is more pleasurable to travel with companions,” Ryedir acknowledged.

Hanzen’s lips curved up into a leering smirk. “You must be pleased that I can no longer join you, as I will be unable to interrupt your pleasurable journey. You could always leave early and travel slowly to the capital, enjoying each and every stop along the way.”

“Unfortunately, business dictates my pleasure as much as it does yours. If not for the wedding, I would not venture to the capital for some time but familial duty calls.”

“Ever the recluse still, I see.” The alpha drained the rest of his glass, setting it down on the small table and standing up. “I won’t intrude on your pleasure time any longer. You and your pet are welcome to my party after the wedding. I trust that you will join me.”

“Of course.”

The alpha left without another word, following behind Nevis who led the way. Ryedir waited until they were gone and the door clicked shut before he pulled Kari tighter against him. The omega flushed a little as he ran his hand across his left wrist. The tattoo was mesmerizing, and it was a surprise that Hanzen hadn’t asked about it.

That was disquieting.

The man was too sharp and knew about Daiyans, Ryedir was sure. There was more knowledge about them in the high tiers of the army than in the aristocracy and Hanzen was one of the top generals for Niamrea.

The alpha tended towards play and personal amusement rather than work, so he only did his due as far as Niamrea’s current war efforts. Not that he could judge as he had done much the same. Ryedir had personally overseen the start of the invasion into Aithyea as per the obligation of his rank, but had pulled out as soon as possible.

The entire endeavour was just a waste of resources.

“How are you feeling?” he asked, turning his attention back to the omega in his arms.

Kari squirmed in his grip, still not meeting his eyes. He must be embarrassed after this morning’s activities. Well, that was easily fixed by exposure and he would take great pleasure in getting the omega used to such things.

“I’m fine.” He spoke softly, almost shy. It was very cute.

He tilted Kari’s chin up so that they could maintain eye contact and watched with satisfaction as a stubborn glare flashed across the omega’s face before he looked away with a slight huff. Now, that was the expression he liked. Defiant, wilful, and very much his own person.

Far more attractive than the simpering looks of the trained whores that others, like Hanzen, preferred.

And it made Kari’s cries of pleasure far more enjoyable knowing they were from pure, honest pleasure.

“You’ll have to get used to it when we travel to the capital.”

The omega’s head whipped back around as he looked at him in surprise. “My eldest brother is getting married and you will travel with me. Seeing as we aren’t mated yet, I’ll need to scent mark you regularly so that others will keep their hands off. The collar will keep you safe to a point but a more visceral proof of ownership is best.” He thumbed across the white leather that marked Kari as his property. He can’t wait to remove the collar off Kari once they’re mated. Slave collars were adequate deterrence out here where Ryedir ruled with complete control but the capital was a whole other world.

“Shouldn’t I be staying here, then?” the omega asked desperately.

“I’m travelling for pleasure, and as such, I’ll bring my pleasure with me. As my pleasure slave and to-be-bonded mate, you will come with me wherever I go, except to a war zone. Although even that depends on the circumstance. One doesn’t just part with their mate after all.”

“We aren’t even mated yet,” Kari said sullenly but Ryedir noted the use of the word ‘yet’.

Stubborn little thing could deny it all he wanted but everything he did just screamed his acceptance. Ryedir leaned in close, nuzzling into his neck and crooning gently. He grinned victoriously as the omega immediately relaxed and purred back.

“Oh, you can deny it all you like, little omega. But your body knows who your alpha is.”

Kari pulled away with an angry blush adorning his cheeks. Trying to slap Ryedir’s hands away, he wriggled back, attempting to escape from his grip but the alpha just pulled him close to him. They sat motionless, eyes locked in a silent battle of wills, until a light knock on the door sounded.

Ryedir sighed and pulled his mate closer to coax him into a soft kiss. The young man was pliant under his touch as their lips slotted together and it ended far too soon. He was very interested in another proper taste but that would have to wait for now.

Yet again duty interfered with pleasure.

“We leave for Disani at the end of the week. Nevis will come with us as well as a few other household staff so you will have company while we are away. We will have plenty of time to go over how you are to behave once we are there on our travel.” That comment earned him a mulish look but he just chuckled and slid the omega off his lap so he could stand. “Perhaps we can go over the basics later, after our sparring session so you are less likely to have difficulty.” That comment earned him an outright glare. He cut Kari off just as he opened his mouth to retort angrily. “As much as I enjoy your fiery defiance, it will attract attention in the capital. There is no good kind of attention in Disani.”

There was another knock and this time Trois poked his head around the door. Ryedir nodded to him and he disappeared again.

“Be good, Kari. I’ll see you tonight.”

He stole one final kiss on his mate's forehead and nose and left the omega standing there with a pout and slight blush.