A week of good food and rest had done wonders for Kari’s appearance.
His skin glowed with health, his ribs no longer stood out starkly against the thin material of his clothing, and he was brimming with boundless energy. He was everything that had been hinted at under the pallor of sickness and more. As he improved and become more and more himself, he only became more and more distracting to Ryedir.
The little omega was an intriguing mix of confidence and defiance with those fiery blue eyes and short temper, yet he would almost purr in delight over sweets. When caught in the embrace of sleep, he would be as pliant and cuddly as a little kitten, yet any mere mention of sex or nudity would leave the slave an embarrassed, stuttering mess.
It all seemed so contradictory, and what a delicious combination it made. Add in the drool worthy appearance, Daiyan power, and possibility of bearing childr
When he came around, Karifound himself lying flat on his back against something cool and hard. He opened his eyes as he forced himself to sit up and groaned at the headache thumping behind his eyes. A bleary look around showed him what appeared to be jewelersshop and he was sitting on the polished stone floor near the back of the shop. Pruesat next to him and held out a large green, round object. The top was cut away and he could make out something fleshy and white lining the inside. Inside that appeared to be water. “What is this?” “It’s a coconut. This is a young one, good for drinking as it has lots of water inside. You passed out from the heat so you need to drink to make sure you recover.” “A young coconut?” He stared down at the object in his hands in confusion. “Coconuts are fruit. The young coconuts are green and have lots of wat
There was a grunt and a thud in front of him and the slave looked up to find Ryedir grappling with another man dressed in faded brown leathers. He caught the glint of a knife in the assailant’s hand and gasped. Ryedir grunted again and managed to grab the hand that held the knife, forcing it back away from his throat. Kari’s heart thumped loudly in his chest as he still struggled to regain his breath. The unknown beta in the room was an assassin! He was trying to kill Lezzker! He didn’t think andjustthrew out his hand, unconsciously trying to will his ice across the floor so he could help the alpha. Nothing happened and in a panic, he tried to force it. All he got was a glimpse of his beloved serene pool that indicated his power-lush grass in soft rich soil surrounded the pool but the pool itself was empty, the rocks lining the bottom still bone dry.
Ryedirstared down at the dead assassin bleeding out over his plush carpet and tsked. It had been a while since anyone had bothered to even attempt to take his life. The man was nondescript looking and the alpha knew he would have nothing on him that would point to the mastermind behind the plot. This man had been good, he had to give him credit, scaling up the side of the manor in the dim light of the early evening and even able to get a hit in on Ryedirwhile he was unarmed. Although it would have been a different story had the little omega not been there, but he had not been willing to take a chance of Karibeing used against him. No, that one was a treasure of great worth-when he wasn’t being stubborn, that is. An anguished scream tore him from his musing and Ryedirspun around with sword raised, intent on killing whoever attacked Kari. &nb
Ryedirmade a noncommittal sound at theback of his throat but didn’t reply further. Laretwas an excellent healer and almost fanatical in her care. Not just regarding theirphysical health, but also mental health. This was especially true for bonded pairs and she was more than happy to take every opportunity to state her mind on just how to strengthen those bonds. Which had resulted in a rather hilarious sex talk with himself and Kari. Laretwas oblivious to social cues and had given a rather long and detailed list of sexual activities that did not need bonding, as though they were adolescents fumbling through sex. He almost snorted at the thought. He couldn’t fault Laretfor her overzealous care, especially as it had proven exceedingly entertaining watching Karistutter in mortification. The memory dulled his anger somewhat and Ryedirstood with Karistill in his arms.
Kariwoke up feeling tired and groggy and groaned as the feeling hit him full force. He went to roll over but was stopped by something around his waist. Eyes snapped open and he came face to face with a muscled chest. It took a few moments to realizethat his pillow was not actually a pillow and instead a bulging bicep. A soft rumbling croon reverberated out from the chest in front of him and Karifelt his body relax, the rigid tension he wasn’t even aware of draining from his body. He cursed his traitorous body before placing his hand on Ryedir’s chest and shoved, moving himself backwards so he could scowl up at the smirking man. “You can stop that,” he said irritably. “I’m not some crying kid that needs comfort.” “No one ever said you were, little one.” Kari’s eyebrow twitched at the way the alpha referred to him.He already know that he was small. No need
Karipouted as he followed Nevisthrough the manor. The beta had been teasing him endlessly about his bruised lip and the fact that he now smelt like Ryedir. It wasn’t like he could do anything about the fact that he spent all of last night and most of this morning curled up against the alpha. And that not quite kiss was enough to have him tripping over his own feet at a mere thought, let alone Nevismentioning it. Apparently, the beta was mostly amused because Karibecame a blushing, fumbling mess every time he brought it up. It was an unusual reaction for a pleasure slave, to say the least. Still, Nevistalked more than normal and kept a watchful eye on Kari. The beta didn’t once comment on the marks on his neck, however. Karihad to wonder if it was about what happened yesterday. In light of Ryedir’s teasing, he had temporarily forgotten his woes but it all came back to the front 
Karifroze. Just thinking about the memories set his limbs trembling. Saying it out loud would just make it all the more real, more tangible. Like he couldn't run away from the truth any more. Worse still, he would be showing what a monster he really was to someone who he didn't know. The alpha was not any less of an enigma now than he was the first night Kariarrived. He knew pieces of information: alpha, warrior, harsh but fair, kept his word. Ryedirseemed to be able to see right through him, read even the slightest reaction in his body language. But Karididn't know how he would react in return. What could he even say? "Oh yeah, I just, you know, massacred half of your goddamn army. This is just my punishment for crimesIcommitted." With a derisive snort the omega looked
He should have known it wouldn't be easy. Logically, Kariknew it wasn't going to be a walk in the park but Ryedirhad far too much fun dancing circles around Karibefore knocking him on his ass. One of the entertaining rooms had been temporarily repurposed into a training room with all the furniture pushed against the walls. In the morning, he would have to help Nevis re-assemble the room but for now, it was a good spot away from prying eyes. Kari had been skeptical at first but now he was glad for the plush rug helping to cushion his fall. He had been even more confused over being made to keep the same attire as normal, Ryedir had only replied that it’s what he would be wearing during an attack so he may as well get used to it and that it was also an incentive. He didn't understand what the alpha meant until he was knocked to the ground, tunicflying up an