Chapter 38 Affections
Hooves sounded behind him and Ryedir came level with him almost immediately, rising to his challenge. Kari shot him a wild grin and then they were off, hooves pounding into the road as they galloped ahead.
He laughed with unrestrained joy at the feeling of freedom. The wind rushed in his face and the horse underneath him gave the impression they could go anywhere he chose.
It was like the weight of the travel and the impending worry over their upcoming visit to the capital slid off his shoulders. It wasn’t long before they slowed to a walk again. It wouldn’t do to tire the horses too much as they still had a way to travel and Kari laughed breathlessly in exhilaration.
“Feel better?”
“Yeah.” He flashed his alpha a beaming smile and received a soft look of affection in return. Embarrassed and a little shy over the openness being displayed, Kari turned his gaze back to the road. “Yeah,” he repeated quietly. “I needed that.”
“Out here, there’s a small space of freedom to lower your guard. I thought you might appreciate a little fun before you have to slip into a role in Disani.”
“Is it really that bad?”
Ryedir was quiet for a moment in thought. “Yes and no. You won’t be exposed to most of it but there’s a saying bandied about in the capital that ‘even the walls have ears’. Nothing can be said or even hinted at while we are there that you do not want the world to know. People can pick up on your expressions and read novels from body language. You are particularly easy to read but being a slave, a bed slave at that, most will not bother to look too closely at you. Those who do are the ones you need to watch out for as they take nothing at face value.”
“Disani is the home to Niamrea’s most powerful and influential, so anyone who wants money or political power all flock to the court there. As such, it’s a cesspit of power hungry fools. I avoid spending any time there if I can help it. Such things do not interest me. All you need to do is serve me and look attractive and everything will be fine. You will be with me at all times, so I do not see a problem. If I need to go anywhere without you, I will leave you with one of my siblings for safety. I’m sure Millicent would love to play dress up with you for a few hours.”
Kari scowled at the other man indignantly but it was quickly overcome with curiosity.
“Millicent, is that one of your family?” It sounded like a girl’s name but he couldn’t be certain as Niamrean names were a little different to Aithyean.
“My youngest sister, the omega I told you about. It would also make more sense for me to leave an omega with another omega so people will not wonder why I’m safeguarding you so much. Once we are there, say nothing about your powers. My siblings will all know as soon as they see you, as might a few others, but they will not say anything.”
“Even once we are back in my room, it will not be fully safe. I no longer have a permanent residence there as I come so infrequently so we will stay in Millicent’s wing of the palace. Other than my two older brothers, she is the only Lezzker to live in the capital city permanently. Remember that if you are not sure if you can say something, do not say anything at all unless it involves the immediate threat of danger. As much as I am proud of you, you’re still unbonded so for your safety, I do not want anyone to realize what you are to me while we are there.”
Kari lost himself in thought after that as they lapsed into silence. Trying to remember all the names, rules, and warnings set his mind whirling. But one thing had caught his attention and distracted him no end.
“I do not want anyone to realize what you are to me while we are there.”
“What you are to me.”
It made the breath catch in his throat and his head spin.
In an effort to clear his murky thoughts, Kari kicked Adira into another race and laughed as he left Ryedir in his dust in sheer surprise. But Addis quickly caught up and even seemed to thrive on the competition. So, with unrestrained laughter Kari raced Ryedir around for the rest of the afternoon.
He was exhausted when they finally made camp for the evening. Even the two horses were noticeably wilting after their adventures through the stunning Niamrean countryside. Kari felt like he would drop any minute but Ryedir still insisted on practicing his fighting skills.
“A clever opponent will wait until they have the advantage to strike, when you're tired or distracted. These moves need to be so ingrained that you can move without thought. It could be the difference between life and death.”
Kari went to retort but was stopped short by the intensity in his alpha’s eyes. He recalled the warnings of danger about the capital. He might not think these skills are needed just yet but they might be the only thing that keeps him alive if they are attacked in Disani.
He still grumbled as he tiredly walked through some exercises while they waited on food but was pleased when they didn’t spar. The omega didn’t feel like being knocked on his ass time and again tonight.
*****
Their dinner that night was a simple fare but hot and filling.
Kari desperately tried to stay awake but couldn’t help leaning into his alpha as he dozed off. Someone removed his empty bowl from his hands and large arms scooped him up.
He clutched Ryedir as the alpha walked them to their tent and took a deep breath of his scent. They were both sweaty from the day with no place to stop and clean off. He smelt amazing to his omega instincts.
All alpha.
He leant in to bury his nose in the other man’s neck. A small rumble of approval met his ears as he let himself be stripped and manhandled into bed like a child. He was so tired that he didn’t even care. But as he curled up to sleep on his alpha’s thick chest, the words from earlier flashed through his mind.
“What you are to me.”
He had been trying to ignore the implications of the words all day but now, as he drifted on the edge of sleep, he found himself pleased.
The alpha wasn’t one for fancy words. When he spoke, he spoke his mind plainly. It’s just that sometimes he didn’t speak at all. But these words speak of feelings deeper than want, deeper than instinct, and he filed away the little titbit in his heart to treasure.
