He glanced further down and viewed his Daiyan tattoo up close. It shone metallically in the light, a beautiful silvery colour that almost seemed as though silver itself was etched into his skin. It was more intricate in the daylight.
The tattoo covers his wrist. A big snowflake at the center and individual little snowflakes with gorgeous patterns glittered around it across his skin and seemed to dance in the light. It made it appear as though a blizzard raged across his wrist. He stared in stunned silence until he caught Nevis’s curious look over his shoulder and jolted.
“I-I’ve never seen it so clearly before,” he mumbled, embarrassed at being caught staring at himself. “We don’t have vast sunlight at home and seeing it in a dimlight really doesn’t do it justice. I wear long sleeves and thus, never seen it that much. I was taught not to draw attention to it so I don’t really look at it.”
Nevis nodded in understanding. “It’s stunning. We don’t worship any gods here, so I’ve never seen anything like that around but it really is a piece of art. Must be cool to have something so beautiful etched into your skin. Not to seem insensitive or anything, but most people here will just assume you did it to seem all exotic and to raise your sale price as a slave. I’ll make sure others know, so no one says anything stupid, okay?”
Kari blinked in surprise. “That’s nice of you, thank you.”
Nevis shrugged and grinned. “We may not believe like you do but we don’t stomp on other people’s beliefs you know? Niamrea has people, particularly slaves, from all over the world, and the prince is a big believer in respect so we all follow his example. Anyways, as Trois said, I’m Nevis. Nice to meet you.”
“Oh, I’m Kari Genei-” he cut off in realization before finishing weakly, “… Kari. Just Kari”
The beta shot him a sympathetic look. “It’ll take a little to get used to, but it’s not so bad having just one name. I was happy that I was allowed my first name though. It would be hard to be called by another name all of a sudden.”
“Me too,” Kari whispered quietly.
“It’s not so bad, really. If you don’t know about anything or don’t understand anything, just tell me and I’ll help you out. At least I know how the whole slave thing worked. It must be weird for you!”
“Yeah… These collar aren’t some joke or anything, are they?” he whispered desperately.
“Nope!” Nevis giggled before continuing, “That’s what omegas wear. Besides, it looks good on you. You are supposed to look pretty, right? Or well, appealing- is that the word Trois used? I don’t remember. Anyway, you don't have to worry about it.”
“Really?” Kari couldn’t hide the note of doubt in his voice.
“Yep. As far as the rest of the household is aware, you’re just as likely to be walking around in nothing but pretty jewellery.”
Kari sighed in defeat. He had just decided to go along with everything and this happened already? He would give that alpha a piece of his mind once he saw him again, bodily reactions be damned.
The extra sleep and filling food had left him feeling far more himself than he had since he had woken up in this kingdom two weeks ago.
He turned to look at himself from behind in the mirror and flushed bright red immediately. The breeches leaves nothing for the imagination and shows the shape of his behind perfectly.
“No way,” he groaned. “There’s no way I’m leaving the room like this. How does he expect me to do chores like this?!”
Nevis snickered at him. “It’s not that bad.” He laughed openly at Kari’s answering glower. “I’m serious. This is normal. No one will look, except our Master, but that’s the point, right? You are for his eyes only. No one else is allowed to look at you like that.”
That didn’t make him feel any better. Damn perverted alpha. For all the indifference he had seemed to show last night while he was naked, he does this? Although…he hadn’t been entirely indifferent. He remembered the way those eyes tracked across his skin with such burning intensity and shivered involuntarily.
He cursed his body’s reaction to the memory and vowed that he would not cave to that man. The alpha probably expected Kari to be begging him to take him by the end of the week but he was not going to give his very soul away so easily.
Yhieris, by your guiding light I swear, I will not be so weak as to bow to his whims. I will make my own choice, follow my own path. He opened his eyes that he had closed during his vow and looked at Nevis who was looking back at him in concern.
“I’m not sure I like that determined look. No funny business, all right? I don’t want to suffer one of Trois’s punishments.” Nevis pulled a face.
“I won’t do anything that would get you into trouble, but I’m not going to take this sitting down either. Just wait till I can give the alpha a piece of my mind.”
“Really now?” The deep rumbling voice that Kari recognized from last night spoke out from the doorway, startling both the slaves.
The omega looked up with wide eyes to see the alpha in question leaning against the door frame with arms folded and eyes sparkling with amusement. Kari opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out. Nevis bowed low and quickly left the room, throwing a knowing smirk over to Kari before he was gone.
“You were saying?”
“I…” Kari took a deep breath and gathered himself. He had not been prepared to face him yet but still, the embarrassed anger surged up and allowed him to burst out, “What the hell is this?!” He gestured to his attire.
Ryedir hummed and walked forward. Kari tensed as he approached but didn’t lower his gaze. The alpha’s lips twitched up as though in an aborted attempt at a smile and the man prowled around him, circling where he stood rooted to the spot. The omega could feel his eyes caressing his skin and felt himself flush even more under the gaze. He squirmed uncomfortably until the man finally stood back in front of him.
A large hand reached up and trailed warm fingers across the pattern adorning his wrist, up across his arms toward the pale leather collar at his throat until he reached his chin and tipped his head back so that their eyes met.
Kari mustered all the defiance he could and glared up at the alpha. He blinked in surprise when Ryedir’s lips curved into the smile that threatened earlier. He seemed pleased.
“Looks good.”
Somehow, he didn’t think Ryedir was referring to his clothes. He inhaled sharply when the man stepped even closer, invading his space. His presence threatened to overwhelm him and it was all Kari could do to stand still and to not cower before the alpha. He forced his back straight and held his gaze steady with the golden eyes that seemed to see through him.
He was desperately trying to ignore the trembling in his limbs and the heat that the alpha’s presence instilled in him. Kari would make his choice, not his omegan instincts and certainly not this Lezzker. He blinked in surprise when the alpha suddenly stepped back and he nearly sagged in relief. The man still seemed pleased though and it left Kari feeling confused.
“You will wear what I have brought for you.” His tone left no room for argument. “Nevis will show you what outfits are for certain occasions and I expect you to obey Morse as well as other senior staff, just like I told you last night.” The alpha raked his gaze over Kari’s body once more before settling back on his eyes. “I’ll see you tonight.”
Ryedir turned and left the room without a backwards glance. Kari flopped onto the bed breathing heavily. He felt like he had just run a marathon. What the hell did that man do to him? He didn’t move from where he had collapsed even when he heard someone else enter the room.
“Wow, he seems to really like you.” Nevis’s voice rang out, sounding equal parts surprised and amused. Kari groaned. That was the last thing he wanted to hear.
“Yhieris, please give me strength,” he prayed quietly.
Because he would seriously need all the help he could get when it came to dealing with Lezzker and his own traitorous body.